Five-Facet Pressure Sensing Probe for Vehicle Wind Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles, particularly trains, are susceptible to wind-induced tip-overs due to insufficient real-time wind speed and direction data during high wind conditions, leading to potential derailments and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A probe system with multiple pressure ports on a five-sided design is mounted to vehicles to measure wind pressure, allowing for real-time calculation of wind velocity and direction relative to the vehicle, using differential pressures and calibration to correct for disturbed airflow, and providing data for proactive safety measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single pressure port is used to measure wind pressure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and ability to determine wind direction are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind velocity and direction measurementVSAvoidprobe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is divided into multiple facets (first facet, second facet, third facet, fourth facet, fifth facet) with pressure ports distributed across them. Each facet measures wind pressure from a specific direction, and the combination of these segmented measurements enables determination of both wind velocity and direction, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The probe transitions from a single-point measurement to a multi-dimensional measurement system by adding pressure ports on multiple facets arranged in specific spatial configurations. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture both magnitude (velocity) and direction of wind vectors simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If real-time wind speed and direction data is collected using traditional methods, then safety decisions can be made, but the data is insufficient for accurate safety assessments in high wind conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety decision accuracyVSAvoidwind condition data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The probe continuously measures wind pressure on multiple facets and provides real-time feedback on both wind speed and direction. This feedback mechanism enables operators to make accurate safety decisions by having complete information about current wind conditions, eliminating the information loss that occurs with traditional single-parameter measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The probe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures both wind speed and wind direction, providing comprehensive wind condition data that can be used for various safety assessments and operational decisions. This multi-functionality ensures that no critical wind information is lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If vehicles slow down or stop in response to wind warnings, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency and productivity decrease due to unnecessary restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind safety assessmentVSAvoidvehicle operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces conservative mechanical responses (stopping or slowing vehicles based on general wind warnings) with a more sophisticated information-based approach. By providing accurate real-time wind speed and direction data, the system enables intelligent decision-making that distinguishes between dangerous and safe wind conditions, allowing vehicles to continue operation when safe and only slow/stop when truly necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enhances vehicle safety by enabling timely corrective actions, reduces unnecessary stops and speed restrictions, and improves operational efficiency by providing accurate local wind data, applicable to various transportation modes.

Implementation Method 1

measure wind pressure using a first pressure port associated with a first facet of the probe, measure wind pressure using a second pressure port associated with a second facet of the probe, and measure wind pressure using a third pressure port associated with a third facet of the probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential pressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12455294B2Pressure sensing probe

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY

AI summary

In one embodiment, a probe includes a first facet associated with a first pressure port operable to measure a first wind pressure, a second facet associated with a second pressure port operable to measure a second wind pressure, and a third facet associated with a third pressure port operable to measure a third wind pressure. The second facet is adjacent to the first facet and the third facet adjacent to the second facet. The probe further includes a fourth facet adjacent to the third facet and a fifth facet adjacent to the fourth facet and to the first facet. The first facet, the second facet, the third facet, the fourth facet, and the fifth facet are located between a first end portion and a second end portion of the probe.