Wheel Deformation Control Using Angular Velocity Radius Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring wheel deformation in railway vehicles only allow for relative deformation determination, providing partial knowledge of the wheel's condition, which is insufficient for ensuring safety in railway operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling wheel deformation that quantifies deformations and evaluates the actual shape of the wheel by using a sensor with a toothed wheel and a sensing element to measure angular velocity, combined with a calculation module that calculates wheel radius using direct and filtered time deviations, employing a Hann window for improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor measures the duty cycle of a toothed wheel to determine relative deformation, then the monitoring function is achieved, but only partial knowledge of the wheel's condition is obtained which is insufficient for ensuring safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel deformation measurement precisionVSAvoidwheel condition information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel circumference is divided into multiple predefined angular positions, with each position having an associated radius value. This segmentation allows comprehensive measurement of the wheel's geometric characteristics at discrete points, transforming the incomplete relative deformation data into complete absolute shape information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from measuring only temporal duty cycle variations to measuring spatial-radius relationships at multiple angular positions. By adding the dimensional aspect of radial measurements at different angular positions, the system obtains complete information about the wheel's actual shape rather than just relative deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If only relative deformation is determined, then the monitoring system remains simple, but the safety assurance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverailway operation safetyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system serves multiple functions: it measures angular velocity, determines direct time deviation, calculates radius values at multiple angular positions, and evaluates the complete wheel shape. This multi-functionality increases reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates a consolidated wheel radius value by processing radius measurements from multiple angular positions, creating a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors and evaluates wheel condition. This feedback loop ensures reliable safety monitoring through comprehensive data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3835716B1Method for controlling wheel deformation, associated device and system including such a device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP3835716B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3835716B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3835716B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This method for controlling the deformation of a wheel (4) includes the following steps: - while the wheel (4) rolls on a rolling surface (8), obtaining, for a plurality of predefined angular positions (θi) on the wheel, a parameter characterizing an angular velocity of the wheel (4) when the wheel (4) is in contact with the rolling surface (8) at said predefined angular position (θi); and - calculating a radius value (Ri) of the wheel (4) for each predefined angular position (θi) using the parameter characterizing the angular velocity obtained for said angular position (θi).