108 results about "Railroad wheel" patented technology

A low power self-organizing network is made up of a plurality of wireless communication nodes communicating wirelessly with each other. The nodes each have a sensor providing a respective sensor data value indicative of a physical parameter in the environment of that node. The wireless network discontinues communication with any nodes in which the sensor data value is outside a range of network sensor data values. The network is preferably a group of vehicles moving together, especially a train in which each node is associated with a respective wheel of a railroad car. The nodes are low-power devices that communicate using wireless communications according to a Zigbee protocol. The nodes each have an additional sensor sensing a physical parameter the respective wheel thereof and determines from said electrical signal a degree of degradation of a bearing of the wheel, and transmits data of the degree of degradation to the main node. The main node communicates with another computer system using a higher power communication system and transmits thereto data indicative of degradation of said bearings.

A low power self-organizing network is made up of a plurality of wireless communication nodes communicating wirelessly with each other. The nodes each have a sensor providing a respective sensor data value indicative of a physical parameter in the environment of that node. The wireless network discontinues communication with any nodes in which the sensor data value is outside a range of network sensor data values. The network is preferably a group of vehicles moving together, especially a train in which each node is associated with a respective wheel of a railroad car. The nodes are low-power devices that communicate using wireless communications according to a Zigbee protocol. The nodes each have an additional sensor sensing a physical parameter the respective wheel thereof and determines from said electrical signal a degree of degradation of a bearing of the wheel, and transmits data of the degree of degradation to the main node. The main node communicates with another computer system using a higher power communication system and transmits thereto data indicative of degradation of said bearings.

A system for automatic detection of defects in railroad wheels, a system that is stationary and is installed in extended intervals in the rails uses stationary acoustical / vibration sensors installed at intervals in the rails. Rail segments associated with the detectors are acoustically isolated. The sensors acquire the sounds and vibrations generated by the wheels rolling over the rails. Signal analyzers identify rail defects from intensity vs., frequency distributions of acoustical spectra. Such spectra reflect the condition of the wheels and change their intensity vs. frequency distributions when the wheels pass the sensors installed in the rails. The acquired information on the condition of the wheels is transmitted to a central location. Any defective wheel is identified and marked for repair or replacement.

A remote, non-contact system for detecting a defect in a railroad wheel as the wheel is stationary or moving along a railroad track includes; (1) a pulsed, laser light source for generating an ultrasonic wave in the wheel, the ultrasonic wave having a direct portion and reflected and transmitted portions if the direct portion encounters a defect in the wheel, (2) an optical component in the path of the light from the light source for forming the light into a specified illumination pattern so that the generated ultrasonic wave has a specified wavefront, (3) an air-coupled transducer or a group of transducers for sensing the acoustic signal emanating from the wheel that results from the ultrasonic wave traveling through the wheel, and (4) a signal processor, responsive to the sensed acoustic signal, capable of distinguishing whether the sensed signal has a component that indicates the existence of a reflected portion in the ultrasonic wave, wherein the presence of such a component in the acoustic signal indicates the existence of a defect in the railroad wheel.

An apparatus and method is provided for detecting a temperature range or a temperature of a railroad train wheel or bearing wherein infrared radiation radiating from the wheel or bearing of a train traversing a railroad track is indicative of a temperature range of the wheel or bearing. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing infrared radiation radiating from the wheel or bearing within two or more infrared wavelength ranges. The sensor generates signals indicative of the sensed infrared radiation in each of the wavelength ranges. A processor determines a temperature range or a temperature of the wheel or bearing from the generated signals. The method detects a temperature range of a railroad train wheel or bearing wherein infrared radiation radiating from the wheel or bearing of a train traversing a railroad track is indicative of the temperature range of the wheel or bearing. The method includes sensing infrared radiation radiating from the wheel or bearing within two or more wavelength ranges of the infrared radiation. Signals are generated that are indicative of the sensed infrared radiation in each infrared wavelength range. A temperature range or a temperature of the wheel or bearing is determined from the generated signals.

Considerable damage to rails, wheels, and trucks can result from geometric anomalies in the wheelsets, rails, and truck hardware. A solution for identifying and quantifying geometric anomalies known to influence the service life of the rolling stock or the ride comfort for the case of passenger service is described. The solution comprises an optical system, which can be configured to accurately perform measurements at mainline speeds (e.g., greater than 100 mph). The optical system includes laser line projectors and imaging cameras and can utilize structured light triangulation.

The present invention relates to a system and method for the automated inspection of geometric parameters of railway wheels rolling on a track by artificial vision techniques. The present invention uses a structured light source (10) that illuminates a line of light (12) upon a fraction of the surface of revolution (3) of a wheel (1), a CCD camera (20), which captures an image (21) of the illuminated area, and a data processing system that records, digitalizes, geometrically corrects and reconstructs information of the surface of revolution (3) that is not recorded in the image (21), in order to obtain a numeric description of the complete transverse section of the wheel (1) represented by a reconstructed profilogram (500) for calculating the geometric parameters of the wheel (1).

A solution for evaluating the condition of a rail component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the rail component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the rail component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.

The current invention is intended to be installed in revenue service railroad tracks to detect railroad cars exhibiting wheel set lateral instability. The invention utilizes an array of inductive proximity sensors mounted at regular intervals in a section of railroad track. Each proximity sensor is oriented to sense the lateral position of railroad car wheel sets. The invention employs a computer algorithm to extrapolate the trajectory from the set of proximity sensor signals for each wheel set. A second algorithm evaluates the shape of the trajectory to detect oscillating lateral motion of the wheel set. A third algorithm assesses the severity of any wheel set lateral oscillations that are detected. An additional function of the invention is to detect railroad car trucks that exhibit “tracking errors”.

A solution for evaluating the condition of a rail component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the rail component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the rail component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can induce specific vibrations into the wheel as it passes, and another set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.

A method includes shrink fitting a ring member about a railroad wheel body and metallurically bonding the ring member to the railroad wheel body. A wheel assembly includes an inner portion obtained from a worn railroad wheel, a ring member disposed about the inner portion, and suitable electroplating material disposed on at least one of the faying surfaces. The wheel assembly may be heated under suitable conditions to provide diffusion bonding across interfacing faying surfaces to produce an integral wheel structure. Appropriate quenching, tempering, and finishing processes may be utilized to obtain desired properties. An article formed thereby includes an inner body portion obtained from a worn railroad wheel and a metallurically bonded outer circumferential portion. The outer portion may comprise a composition selected for desired wear characteristics.

Steels having a pearlitic structure and containing 0.65 to 0.80 weight percent carbon, 0.90 to 1.10 weight percent silicon, 0.85 to 1.15 weight percent manganese, 0.001 to 0.030 weight percent phosphorus, 0.009 to 0.013 weight percent niobium, 0.05 to 0.15 nickel, 0.20 to 0.30 weight percent molybdenum, 0.10 to 0.30 weight percent vanadium and 0.005 to 0.040 weight percent sulfur with the remainder of said steel being iron and incidental impurities, can be used to make railway wheels that are particularly resistant to rolling contact fatigue and, hence, shelling.

A wheel truck for a railroad car, including: a front wheel pair assembly and a rear wheel pair assembly; two side frame assemblies, each side frame assembly including a square box and journal-box guides; two spring suspension devices; and a bolster assembly including two ends disposed on the two spring suspension devices, respectively. The bolster assembly includes a pilot hole in the center and two mounting holes on the two ends, the pilot hole is rotationally matched with a cylindrical upper center plate of a car body for transmitting vertical and horizontal forces from the car body, and the two mounting holes are disposed above the two spring suspension devices, respectively. Each mounting hole receives a lower side bearing, and the lower side bearing is matched with a corresponding upper side bearing disposed on each side of the car body for transmitting the vertical load from the car body.

A solution for evaluating the condition of a rail component based on resonant response profiles across a set of bands of vibrations. The vibrations can be induced into the target component during normal operation of the target component. The resonant response profile of the rail component can vary depending on wear or damage, and thus can be used to determine whether the rail component can safely remain in use. An embodiment comprises an isolated segment of rail of a length selected to allow a single railroad wheel on it at a time, with a set of devices which can induce specific vibrations into the wheel as it passes, and another set of devices which can acquire the resonance signals from the wheel.

This invention relates generally to vehicular transportation for humans and freight by roadway and railway. More specifically, this invention relates to a unique combination of a novel roadway wheel and pneumatic tire assembly, incorporating a known automatic inflate-deflate system and a novel lightweight railway wheel; both wheels then coupled and concentrically assembled on a common axle with special provisions for the known automatic inflation and deflation of the pneumatic roadway tire.

The invention discloses a railway wheel tread scratch image dynamic detection device, belonging to the technical field of machinery detection equipment structure carrying out detection on railway (vehicle) wheel tread. The detection device comprises a plurality of scratch detection camera cases provided with built-in camera, a wheel positioning system, an image acquisition system and a control circuit are utilized, an industrial personal computer is utilized to detect wheel pair image shot by a camera which is fixedly arranged and wheel pair safety state. The device can be used for wheel pair detection on vehicles passing through main line of railway, wheel pair detection when motor train unit is put in storage and wheel pair detection when locomotive is put in storage and can dynamically measure fault state of wheel pair tread of train in normal operation, including wheel faults of scratch, stripping, ground pile and the like, so that overhauling person can timely handle the wheel fault of train and the train is ensured to operate safely.

A vehicle equipped with monitoring equipment is adapted to ride a railroad track rail. An apparatus mount is coupled to the vehicle undercarriage. A downwardly displaced arm is coupled to the apparatus mount. A sensor mounting bracket couples a pair of railroad wheels and a pair of wheel bracket axles couples the wheels to the mounting bracket. A wheel axle couples one wheel to the arm. A sensor is positioned at a fixed adjustable distance above the top of the rail. The sensor is coupled to monitoring equipment with an electronic coupling means.

A railway car wheel comprises a rim having a flange and a tread portion. The tread portion contains 0.35-0.55% C and has a Vickers hardness of at least 360 and comprises a bainite structure, a tempered martensite structure, or a mixture of both.

A method and apparatus for collecting ultrasonic test data from a railway wheel with an ultrasonic testing apparatus is described. The railway wheel is supported by two drive rollers, each having an indentation which engages with and rotates the wheel. An indexing transducer moves across the rotating wheel, collecting ultrasonic test data while a fixed transducer correlates a reference position on the wheel to the collected test data. To maintain the accuracy of the reference position to the collected test data, it is desirable to maintain the rotational stability of the wheel, minimizing any dynamic instability caused by dimensional tolerances in the wheel. To mitigate instabilities resulting from dimensional tolerances, the indentation of the drive rollers, which engage and drive the flange of the wheel, is adjustable by the flexing design of the drive rollers to maintain frictional contact between the wheel and the drive roller. This allows the indentation to accommodate the varying dimensional tolerances of the wheel flange, mitigating the possibility of dynamic instability resulting from departure of the wheel flange from the indentation.

The invention provides a heat treatment method of a medium carbon low-alloy steel railway wheel, comprising the following processes: heating by quenching a railway wheel at 840-860 DEG C after rollingand slow cooling, cooling by spraying water after discharging, tempering at 500+ / -10 DEG C, carrying out power frequency induction heating at 890-910 DEG C, and carrying out pressure-air cooling. Theheat treatment method aims to remarkably reduce depth of an abnormal structure area on near surface of a tread or completely eliminate the abnormal structure layer on the basis of maintaining original mechanical properties of the wheel, so as to improve use performance of the wheel and lower cutting process cost.

Steels having a pearlitic structure and containing 0.65 to 0.80 weight percent carbon, 0.90 to 1.10 weight percent silicon, 0.85 to 1.15 weight percent manganese, 0.001 to 0.030 weight percent phosphorus, 0.009 to 0.013 weight percent niobium, 0.05 to 0.15 nickel, 0.20 to 0.30 weight percent molybdenum, 0.10 to 0.30 weight percent vanadium and 0.005 to 0.040 weight percent sulfur with the remainder of said steel being iron and incidental impurities, can be used to make railway wheels that are particularly resistant to rolling contact fatigue and, hence, shelling.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an all metal, single or dual, flanged composite railroad wheel for rollingly engaging a metal rail. A unitary metal railroad wheel having at least one radially extending wheel flange, for intermittently engaging the side surface of the rail, is provided with a metallic inlaid material having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the wheel's main body. The inlaid low friction material forms an annular band circumscribing the inside surface of the wheel's radially extending flange.

It is described a system and method to monitor railway wheels, which includes obtaining images of the railway wheel by means of stereo cameras and performing a three-dimensional and two-dimensional model of the railway wheel by means of these images. This two-dimensional model is subjected to analysis of the profile of the railway wheel, comparing it with a two-dimensional model of an ideal wheel and thus measuring the effective wear of its profile. The three-dimensional model is subjected to analysis of the surface of the railway wheel, also comparing it with a three-dimensional model of an ideal wheel and thus measuring the effective wear of its surface.

The invention relates to dynamic measurement of wheel diameters of railway vehicles such as wagons, passenger trains, bullet trains and locomotives in the normal running state on a railway. A device comprises a left wheel pair diameter size measuring box (4), a right wheel pair diameter size measuring box (5), a left steel rail position mark strip (3), a right steel rail position mark strip (6) and at least one wheel sensor (1). The wheel sensors (1) are connected with a digital camera (8), a digital camera (9), a line laser generator (7) and a line laser generator (10) through electrical signals. After detecting that wheels enter the detecting area, the wheel sensors (1) send signals to trigger the digital cameras and the line laser generators to work and then calculate the wheel diameters of the vehicle according to taken photos. By means of the device and method, railway wheel diameters can be accurately and dynamically measured.

The invention discloses a portable railway wheel tread parameter detection instrument. The portable railway wheel tread parameter detection instrument consists of a base, a cover, a flange tread measuring mechanism, a rim thickness measuring device, a positioning device, a control device, a touch screen and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, wherein the flange tread measuring mechanism comprises a laser sensor and a horizontal moving mechanism; the rim thickness measuring device comprises a positioning mechanism, a measuring head, an electronic ruler and a manual vertical moving guide rail pair; the flange tread measuring mechanism, the rim thickness measuring device and the positioning device are fixedly arranged on the base. The portable railway wheel tread parameter detection instrument is used for detecting the parameters of a railway wheel such as flange thickness, flange height, tread abrasion, rim thickness, rim width, vertical flange abrasion, QR value and tread scratch depth. Laser measurement and the touch screen are adopted, thereby achieving the characteristics of storability of measured data, high accuracy, light weight, convenience in operating and carrying and storability of output data. The portable railway wheel tread parameter detection instrument is suitable for detecting tread parameters under the condition of not lowering down the wheel in plants, workshops, train examination, repair track maintenance, motor car stations, urban subways and the like.

The invention discloses a production method of railway wheels. The production method comprises the steps of billet cutting, steel billet heating, shaping, rolling, slow cooling or isothermal treatment, heat treatment and finish machining. According to the production method, rough machining is cancelled, the allowance of the finish machining is appropriately increased, and accordingly the allowance of the tread machining can be increased after the heat treatment, more tread metal close to a surface layer can be removed under the condition that the requirements of the machining accuracy are met, and accordingly the depth of the abnormal structure area under the tread can be reduced or eliminated conveniently. Compared with the conventional process, the depth of the abnormal structure area under the tread is greatly reduced and the consumption of a finish machining tool is reduced under the condition that performance indicators of the produced wheels are basically identical.

A self-propelled four-wheel vehicle (1) for travel on land and / or on rails includes four hubs (9) for mounting of wheels including tires (6) for travel on land, four rail wheels (7) for travel on a railway, and four coupling assemblies, for detachably connecting the rail wheels to, outwardly of, and spaced from, the hubs. A kit for converting the vehicle for travel on rails includes, for each hub (9) of the vehicle, a rail wheel adapter (25, 44) including a flange (26, 45) for fastening to a rail wheel (7) and an axle portion (24, 46) extending transverse to the flange, a vehicle wheel adapter (10, 40) including a flange (15, 41) for fastening to a hub of the land vehicle and an axle portion (21, 42) extending transverse to the flange, and a coupler (12, 13) for coupling the rail wheel adapter to the vehicle wheel adapter.