Rail Wheel Radius Mapping from Angular Velocity Deformation Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling wheel deformation in railway vehicles only provide partial knowledge of the wheel condition, which is not sufficient for ensuring safety, as they can only determine relative deformations and not quantify them accurately.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves measuring the angular velocity of a wheel at multiple predefined angular positions while rolling, using a sensor with a gearwheel and sensing element to calculate the wheel radius at each position, incorporating filtered time differences weighted by a Hann window to quantify and evaluate the actual shape of the wheel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor measures duty cycle variations of a gearwheel to determine wheel deformation, then relative deformation can be detected, but the measurement precision and ability to quantify actual deformation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel deformation measurement precisionVSAvoidpartial knowledge of wheel condition

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from duty cycle variations to direct angular velocity measurement at multiple predefined angular positions. By measuring angular velocity directly and calculating radius values based on these measurements, the system achieves more precise deformation quantification and complete wheel condition assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If only relative deformation is determined using duty cycle variations, then the control method is simple, but comprehensive wheel condition assessment is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol method complexityVSAvoidwheel operation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wheel measurement into multiple predefined angular positions (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°). At each position, angular velocity is measured independently to calculate a radius value. This segmentation allows comprehensive wheel condition assessment while maintaining a relatively simple control method structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If angular velocity is measured at multiple predefined angular positions to calculate radius values, then complete wheel shape evaluation is achieved, but measurement and calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel radius measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement and calculation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the sensor system multi-functional by using it to both detect gearwheel tooth passages (for basic rotation monitoring) and measure angular velocity at multiple predefined angular positions (for precise deformation quantification). This universality reduces the need for separate measurement systems while achieving comprehensive wheel shape evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12157507B2Method for controlling wheel deformation and associated device and system

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA

AI summary

A method for controlling the deformation of a wheel includes obtaining, for multiple predefined angular positions on the wheel, a parameter characterizing an angular velocity of the wheel when the wheel is in contact with the running surface at each predefined angular position while the wheel is rolling on a running surface, and calculating a radius value of the wheel for each predefined angular position using the parameter characterizing the angular velocity obtained for that angular position.