Rail Vibration Inducer for Distributed Acoustic Sensing Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of detecting infrequent events like rail breaks along a railway track is low due to the limited number of examples available for determining the characteristic shape of the backscattered signal in distributed acoustic sensing, which hampers accurate identification and monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A device that induces mechanical vibrations at specific positions along the railway track during a rail vehicle's passage, simulating conditions such as rail breaks, allowing for the collection of a large amount of data without actual events, thereby increasing the reliability of event detection through distributed acoustic sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If distributed acoustic sensing is used to detect rail breaks, then the position of rail breaks can be determined, but the reliability of detection is low due to limited number of examples

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of event detectionVSAvoidnumber of examples for training
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device induces mechanical vibrations on the rail before actual rail break events occur, creating simulated event scenarios. This preliminary action generates training data in advance, allowing the system to accumulate sufficient examples for reliable detection without waiting for rare actual events to happen naturally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device creates copies of actual rail break events by inducing mechanical vibrations that simulate the acoustic signature of real rail breaks. These copied events provide sufficient training data for machine learning algorithms without requiring numerous actual rail break occurrences, thereby improving detection reliability while avoiding the scarcity of real examples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If mechanical vibrations are induced during rail vehicle passage, then data collection for event detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availability for trainingVSAvoidcomplexity of vibration induction device
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be connectable to the rail and capable of inducing mechanical vibrations that simulate various rail events. By making the device multi-functional (able to simulate different types of rail defects through vibration induction), it can generate diverse training data without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving data availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the device simulates rail break conditions, then the accuracy of detection algorithms is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of event detectionVSAvoidease of manufacturing the vibration device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device achieves accurate simulation of rail break conditions by controlling vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) rather than requiring complex mechanical replication of actual breaks. By changing and controlling physical parameters of the vibration induction process, the device can accurately simulate different event types with a relatively simple structure, improving detection accuracy while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device enhances the accuracy and reliability of event detection by providing controlled simulation conditions, allowing for extensive data collection without damaging the rail or rail vehicle, and enabling the development and validation of machine learning algorithms.

Implementation Method 1

By analyzing the backscattered signal noise on and around the railway track can be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackscattered light: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Distributed acoustic sensing can be employed in railway monitoring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistributed acoustic sensing: Acoustics

Implementation Method 3

the device is configured to induce mechanical vibrations at the position of the device during the passage of a rail vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibrations: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4086138A1Device for inducing mechanical vibrations and method for inducing mechanical vibrations
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 SENSONIC GMBH
  • EP4086138A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4086138A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4086138A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A device (10) for inducing mechanical vibrations is provided, the device (10) being configured to induce mechanical vibrations at the position of the device (10) during the passage of a rail vehicle at the position of the device (10), wherein the device (10) is connectable to a rail (11) on which the rail vehicle is moving. Furthermore, a method for inducing mechanical vibrations is provided.