Railway Scale Calibration with Track Machine Force Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of track scales in rail vehicles is time-consuming and costly, requiring heavy equipment and significant personnel effort, with existing methods leading to long periods of track scale inoperability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a track construction machine with force introduction points controlled by a drive, allowing for precise calibration without heavy equipment, using load cells and sensors to apply defined forces to the track scale, and integrating with a control and regulation system for monitoring and documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods using heavy reference weights and cranes are used, then calibration accuracy can be achieved, but the process requires heavy equipment, significant personnel effort, and long periods of track scale inoperability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical calibration system (cranes, heavy reference weights, manual positioning) with a motorized system. The track construction machine's drive system automatically positions the force introduction point and applies calibrated forces through the measuring unit, eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment and manual operations while maintaining calibration accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The track construction machine performs its own calibration function by utilizing its existing drive system and force introduction points. The machine's regular positioning capabilities are repurposed for calibration, allowing it to self-calibrate the track scale without requiring separate calibration equipment or personnel, thereby improving both accuracy and operational efficiency
2Reliability
If traditional calibration methods with multiple tons of reference weights are used, then legally required calibration can be performed, but heavy equipment and substantial personnel resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The track construction machine's force introduction points and drive system serve dual purposes: their primary function for track maintenance operations and their secondary function for calibration operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated calibration equipment, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable calibration compliance through the machine's existing certified positioning and force application capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential calibration function from the complex traditional system (cranes, heavy weights, multiple support devices) and concentrates it into the track construction machine's existing force application mechanism. By removing the unnecessary heavy equipment and retaining only the core calibration function within the machine's integrated system, equipment requirements are substantially reduced while maintaining calibration reliability
3Measurement precision
If track scales are calibrated frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement reliability is improved, but the scales spend more time out of operation requiring extensive calibration resources
Solution Approach 1:
The track construction machine is positioned above the track scale and prepares the measuring unit for calibration before the actual calibration process begins. The drive system pre-positions the force introduction point, and the measuring unit is pre-configured, allowing the calibration to proceed efficiently when the machine arrives, thereby minimizing loss of time while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is integrated into the track construction machine's regular operational cycle. As the machine moves along the track for maintenance operations, it continuously monitors and calibrates the track scale without interrupting its primary function. This continuous calibration approach maintains measurement precision while minimizing downtime, as the calibration occurs during the machine's normal passage over the scale
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 rapid and precise calibration of track scales, reducing operational downtime and costs by eliminating the need for heavy equipment and reference weights, while ensuring compliance with legal and operational standards.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force introduction point is lowered at the start of the calibration process, and this lowering applies a defined force to the track scale
Implementation Method 2
The force sensors transmit the force signals to the control and regulation system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for calibrating a track scale (16) by means of a track construction machine (1) that can be moved on a track (3) and which comprises working units (5, 6) for processing the track (3) and/or a ballast bed (9), wherein at least one working unit (5, 6) has at least one force application point (12) that can be lowered and raised by means of a drive (7), wherein the drive (7) and thus the movement of the force application point (12) is controlled by force or displacement by means of a control system (13) provided.Before the start of a calibration process, the track construction machine (1) is positioned on the track (3), with at least one force application point (12) being positioned vertically above the area of the track scale (16) to be calibrated. A measuring unit (15) is attached to at least one force application point (12), and the measuring unit (15) is coupled to the track scale (16) at a track section/support point belonging to the track scale (16). At the start of the calibration process, at least one force application point (12) is lowered, and this lowering applies a defined force to the track scale (16). This efficiently achieves a rapid, safe, and precise calibration of the track scale (16).