Railway Broken Rail Detection via Electrical Signal Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-onboard systems for detecting broken rails face limitations such as short signal range, mechanical stress on infrastructure, increased costs due to the need for repeaters or oversized solutions, and limited distance coverage, which affect their efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an electrical discontinuity detection approach with an emitting node, a receiving node, and connection means to generate an electrical circuit between the nodes and the railway section, injecting an alternating electrical signal to detect breakages, allowing for longer distance coverage within electrical safety restrictions, thereby reducing the number of required devices and installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasound technology is used with one generator per rail, then all kinds of defects can be detected, but the signal range is short (close to 2 meters) requiring a large number of repeaters which increases system cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasound generation system with an electrical signal injection system. Instead of using ultrasound generators and receivers positioned close to the rails, the system injects electrical signals directly into the rails themselves, using the rails as transmission medium. This substitution eliminates the need for numerous repeaters while maintaining defect detection capability through analysis of signal reflections and transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the rails serve multiple functions: they remain structural support elements and simultaneously become electrical signal transmission conduits. By utilizing the rails' inherent electrical conductivity, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated signal transmission infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Device complexity
If optical fiber technology is used against each rail, then the infrastructure is minimum and simple, but the rail must endure strong mechanical stress which may cause fiber breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical fiber attachment system with an electrical signal injection system. Instead of physically attaching fibers to the rails (which creates mechanical stress concentration points), the system uses electrical contacts that can be designed to distribute stress more evenly along the rail, reducing the risk of rail failure while maintaining infrastructure simplicity.
3Device complexity
If inductive coupling technology is used, then the system is simple and low cost, but induced signal losses increase with distance requiring increased current or more coils which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the inductive coupling system with direct electrical signal injection into the rails. Instead of using separate transmitting and receiving coils that rely on electromagnetic induction (which suffers from signal loss over distance), the system directly injects electrical signals into the rails and measures the response, eliminating the energy losses associated with inductive coupling while maintaining system simplicity.
4Device complexity
If elastic wave-based technology is used, then no additional signal sources are required, but excessive damping occurs with frequency and distance requiring receivers every few meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the elastic wave-based system with an electrical signal injection system. Instead of relying on mechanical elastic waves that suffer from excessive damping and frequency-dependent energy loss, the system uses electrical signals that can be transmitted along the rails with minimal attenuation, reducing the need for frequent receiver placement while eliminating the need for additional signal sources.
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 detection of broken rails over greater distances with fewer devices, reducing technical and economic burdens, while maintaining electrical safety and distinguishing between rails, thus improving the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the detection system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrical circuit is configured between an emitting node, a receiving node and a section of rails between both nodes, at least one alternating electrical signal of a specific power is injected into the electrical circuit from the emitting node
Implementation Method 2
The system comprises in each of the nodes a detector associated with each rail in the section of rails which is part of the electrical circuit for detecting the signal going through the corresponding rail
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system and a method for detecting broken rails for a railway line, designed to detect the breakage by means of electrical discontinuity in at least one rail (R). The system comprises an emitting node (1), a receiving node (2), and connection means for generating an electrical circuit between both nodes (1, 2) and the section of rails (R), of up to 7km between both nodes (1,2), where into the emitting node (1) injects an alternating electrical signal. The system also comprises a detector (S) associated with each rail (R) in order to detect the alternating electrical signal through the corresponding rail (R), and control means that receive the detected signals and determine whether there is electrical discontinuity in the electrical circuit, identifying the broken rail (R). In the event of double-track railway lines, the broken rail (R) is also identified and the break area is estimated.