Rail Displacement Measurement Using Fixed Light Reference Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring longitudinal displacements of long welded rails require direct access to the railway track, causing disruptions in train traffic and posing safety risks to operators, while being inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A measurement apparatus mounted on a moving railway vehicle that uses onboard image acquisition and processing systems to detect and measure longitudinal displacements of rails by projecting fixed light references onto targets constrained to the rail, allowing automated and safe measurements without interfering with train traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct access to the railway track is used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but train traffic is disrupted and operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of fixed marks on the rail and a moving measurement vehicle that passes by the track without requiring track access. The measurement vehicle captures images of the fixed marks at different positions, and the displacement of these marks is calculated by comparing image coordinates, thereby enabling precise measurement without disrupting traffic or requiring operator access to the track.
2Measurement precision
If direct access to the railway track is used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system uses an intermediary vehicle that travels on a parallel track or overhead structure, allowing operators to remain in a safe environment while still capturing precise measurements of the rail. The fixed marks serve as intermediaries between the measurement system and the rail, enabling accurate displacement detection without exposing operators to track hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical measurement system. Instead of operators physically measuring the rail, the system uses cameras to capture images of fixed marks, and software to calculate displacements based on coordinate changes in the images, thereby eliminating operator exposure to safety risks while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If manual measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement processes with an automated optical measurement system. The system uses cameras to capture images of fixed marks at multiple positions along the track, and software to automatically calculate displacements by comparing image coordinates. This automation enables rapid data collection and processing, significantly improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through systematic image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement vehicle travels continuously along the track, capturing images of fixed marks at multiple positions in sequence. This continuous measurement approach allows for efficient data collection over long distances without requiring repeated stops or manual repositioning, thereby improving productivity while maintaining precision through consistent imaging conditions.
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
Enables efficient, automated, and safe measurement of rail displacements, reducing human error and eliminating the need for track access, thereby minimizing disruptions and enhancing safety and efficiency in monitoring rail conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter (112), located on a fixed support in the proximity of at least one rail (1), to project a light reference (113) onto the target (111)
Implementation Method 2
an image acquisition system (120), adapted to be mounted onboard a railway vehicle (2), to frame each of the light references (113) projected onto the respective target (111)
Data Source
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AI summary
A measurement apparatus for longitudinal displacements or sliding of at least one rail (1), in particular a long welded rail (1). The measurement apparatus (100) comprises: a plurality of targets (111) constrained to the rail (1) and distributed along the rail (1); a respective plurality of light emitters (112) positioned on fixed supports in proximity of the rail (1), the plurality of light emitters (112) being configured to emit light references (113), the light references (113) fixed in space and respectively projected onto the plurality of targets (111); an image acquisition system (120) adapted to be mounted onboard a railway vehicle (2) and configured to frame each of the light references (113) projected onto a respective target (111); an image processing system (130) operatively connected to the image acquisition system (120) and configured to detect and measure a position of each light reference (113) on the respective target (111).