Rail Vehicle Speed Regulation via Direct Rail Temperature Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for monitoring rail temperatures are limited in accurately identifying unsafe conditions and issuing targeted warnings and speed adjustments for locomotives, as they rely on ambient air temperature measurements and do not effectively account for geographic variations along the track.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring temperature sensors positioned on the rail vehicle to measure rail temperatures directly, coupled with a controller that regulates speed based on measured data, and a remote facility to collect and analyze temperature data from multiple regions, determining localized maximum allowable speeds for each area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional systems use ambient air temperature measurements to project rail temperature, then the system can issue warnings to locomotive operators, but the measurement precision is insufficient leading to unnecessary warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared sensor as an intermediary device that directly measures rail temperature through thermal radiation detection, eliminating the need to use ambient air temperature as a proxy. This direct measurement approach resolves the contradiction by providing accurate rail temperature data without the inaccuracies of indirect projection methods.
2Device complexity
If conventional systems measure ambient air temperature at one location, then the system can operate with simple sensors, but the measurement precision deteriorates when projecting temperature over significant geographic areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of measuring ambient air temperature with a thermal radiation detection system using infrared sensors. This substitution enables direct, location-specific rail temperature measurement without relying on atmospheric conditions or geographic projection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while keeping the device relatively simple.
3Reliability
If conventional systems issue warnings based on projected rail temperature, then safety hazards can be addressed, but the number of unnecessary warnings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the infrared sensor continuously monitors actual rail temperature and provides real-time data to the control system. This direct feedback loop ensures that warnings are issued only when actual rail temperature exceeds safe thresholds, eliminating false warnings caused by inaccurate ambient temperature projections while maintaining reliable safety monitoring.
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
This solution reduces the number of unnecessary warnings and speed adjustments by providing precise temperature measurements and corresponding speed regulations, enhancing safety by addressing extreme rail temperatures more effectively than conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature sensor positioned on an external surface of the rail vehicle measures a temperature of one of the rails
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for regulating the speed of a rail vehicle traveling along a track. The track has a pair of rails. The system includes a temperature sensor positioned on an external surface of the rail vehicle. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of one of the rails. The system further includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor. The controller receives data of the measured temperature, and regulates the speed of the rail vehicle based upon the measured temperature data. A method and computer readable media are also provided for regulating the speed of a rail vehicle traveling along a track.