System and method for detecting wheel condition

• US 9,415,784 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bartonek, Mark J., O'Connell, Roland F., Arndt, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US14/512,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20160101792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 701/20, 701/29.2, 701/31.4, 701/31.5, 246/169.A, 703/8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/06 by detecting or indicating heat radiation from overheated axles
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/12 Measuring or surveying wheel-rims measuring techniques G01
• 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 27/57 for vehicles or trains, e.g. trackside supervision of train conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0033 Wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0022 for sensing the radiation of moving bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/10 Suspensions, axles or wheels

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel on a train car. The method may include detecting a position of the wheel. The method may also include detecting a position of a rail on which the wheel travels. The method may further include comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail, and determining a wheel condition based on the comparison.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel on a train car, the method comprising:

detecting a position of the wheel;

detecting a position of a rail on which the wheel travels;

comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail over a predetermined period of time, including determining at least one of a distance between the wheel and the rail, a velocity of the wheel relative to the rail, and an acceleration of the wheel relative to the rail;

determining a wheel condition based on the comparison; and

implementing a control action based on the determined wheel condition when the velocity of the wheel relative to the rail is higher than a predetermined velocity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

detecting the position of the wheel includes detecting a position of a flange of the wheel; and

comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail includes comparing the position of the flange relative to the position of the rail.

3. The method of claim 1, further including receiving at least one thermal image from at least one sensor, and determining the position of the wheel and the position of the rail based on the at least one thermal image.

4. The method of claim 3, further including using at least one spatial filtering algorithm to determine the position of the wheel and the position of the rail based on the at least one thermal image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing the control action based on the determined wheel condition includes implementing the control action when the distance between the wheel and the rail is less than a predetermined distance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing the control action based on the determined wheel condition includes implementing the control action when the acceleration of the wheel relative to the rail is higher than a predetermined acceleration.

7. A system for detecting a condition associated with a wheel on a train car, the system comprising:

at least one sensor configured to generate at least one thermal image; and

a processor configured to;

detect a position of the wheel based on the at least one thermal image;

detect a position of a rail on which the wheel travels based on the at least one thermal image;

compare the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail over a predetermined period of time;

determine at least one of a distance between the wheel and the rail, a velocity of the wheel relative to the rail, and an acceleration of the wheel relative to the rail;

determine a wheel condition based on the comparison; and

implement a control action based on the determined wheel condition when the velocity of the wheel relative to the rail is higher than a predetermined velocity.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect a position of a flange of the wheel based on the at least one thermal image; and

compare the position of the flange relative to the position of the rail.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to use at least one spatial filtering algorithm to determine the position of the wheel and the position of the rail based on the at least one thermal image.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to implement the control action when the distance between the wheel and the rail is less than a predetermined distance.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to implement the control action when the acceleration of the wheel relative to the rail is higher than a predetermined acceleration.

12. A method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel on a train car, the method comprising:

detecting a position of the wheel;

detecting a position of a rail on which the wheel travels;

comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail over a predetermined period of time, including determining at least one of a distance between the wheel and the rail, a velocity of the wheel relative to the rail, and an acceleration of the wheel relative to the rail;

determining a wheel condition based on the comparison; and

implementing a control action based on the determined wheel condition when the acceleration of the wheel relative to the rail is higher than a predetermined acceleration.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

detecting the position of the wheel includes detecting a position of a flange of the wheel; and

comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail includes comparing the position of the flange relative to the position of the rail.

14. The method of claim 12, further including receiving at least one thermal image from at least one sensor, and determining the position of the wheel and the position of the rail based on the at least one thermal image.

15. The method of claim 14, further including using at least one spatial filtering algorithm to determine the position of the wheel and the position of the rail based on the at least one thermal image.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein implementing the control action based on the determined wheel condition includes implementing the control action when the distance between the wheel and the rail is less than a predetermined distance.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein implementing the control action based on the determined wheel condition includes implementing the control action when the velocity of the wheel relative to the rail is higher than a predetermined velocity.