Railway Vehicle Mass Estimation and Automated Cargo Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accurate estimation of the mass of railway vehicles and efficient, automated deployment of cargo at desired locations is challenging, affecting performance, safety, and efficiency in rail transportation.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing onboard sensors to measure acceleration and force data, combined with computing systems for mass estimation and localization, enables precise mass determination and automated cargo deployment using solenoids or actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If stationary weighing methods are used to measure mass, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass measurement precisionVSAvoidtime loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional stationary mechanical weighing systems with an onboard computational system that uses sensor data (acceleration, force) collected during vehicle operation to calculate mass in real-time, eliminating the need for separate weighing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-measurement of mass using its own onboard sensors and computing capabilities during normal operation, rather than requiring external weighing infrastructure, thereby maintaining measurement precision without stopping or delaying the vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated deployment systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo deployment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The onboard computing system serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data for mass estimation, determines vehicle location, identifies drop zones, and controls automated cargo deployment mechanisms, thereby achieving high productivity without proportionally increasing complexity through multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between various components (sensors, actuators, control systems), managing the complexity centrally while enabling automated deployment operations to proceed efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If onboard sensors and computing systems are used for mass estimation, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime lossVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously collects and processes sensor data during vehicle operation to estimate mass in real-time, eliminating interruptions and time losses associated with stationary weighing, while the onboard computing platform manages the complexity of data processing and system coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enhances safety and efficiency by eliminating reliance on stationary weighing, optimizing transport operations, and reducing downtime, while ensuring precise cargo delivery.

Implementation Method 1

determining, based on the sensor data, acceleration data and force data corresponding to the railway vehicle as the railway vehicle moves along the track. The force data represents a quantity of force applied to the railway vehicle to cause the railway vehicle to move along the track.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNewton's second law:

Implementation Method 2

receiving, at a computing system, sensor data from a plurality of sensors coupled to a railway vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20250377235A1Methods and Systems for Measuring and Deploying Mass transported by a Railway Vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 INTRAMOTEV INC

AI summary

The disclosed technology pertains to methods and systems for measuring and deploying mass transported by railway vehicles. A computing system may receive sensor data from multiple sensors coupled to a railway vehicle as the railway vehicle moves along a track. The computing system may use the sensor data to determine acceleration data and force data corresponding to the railway vehicle as the railway vehicle moves along the track. The force data represents a quantity of force applied to the railway vehicle to cause the railway vehicle to move along the track. The computing system may then estimate, based on the acceleration data and force data for the railway vehicle, a mass of the railway vehicle. The computing system may further use sensor data to determine that the railway vehicle is located proximate a drop zone and trigger an automatic release of cargo carried by the railway vehicle.