Detection of dynamic train-to-rail shunting performance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018201284-A1
Application number	US-201815921974-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 15, 2018
Priority date	Mar 2, 2015
Publication date	Jul 19, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting the dynamic train-to-rail shunting performance of a train as it is moving along the rails of a railroad track. The systems and methods use portable equipment temporarily installed at a site where it is desired to test the shunting of one or more trains or the electrical equipment installed at the track. The systems and method use sensor plates and a high speed recording system to simultaneously capture measured train-to-rail shunting characteristics and the positioning of a train's axles and any rail conditions impacting the measurements. The captured information can be used to fine tune the train, the electrical equipment installed at the track and/or to design new devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of determining a characteristic associated with a train traveling on a railroad track, said method comprising:
capturing images of a portion of a train as the train is traveling over first and second sensor plates respectively installed on first and second rails of the track; and simultaneously capturing measurements of the characteristic as the train is traveling over the first and second sensor plates.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the characteristic comprises a train-to-rail shunt impedance.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the train comprises the train's axles.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing steps are performed for an entire period that the train is traveling over the first and second sensor plates.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising analyzing the characteristic's performance over the period by correlating the measurements to positions of the portion of the train over the first and second rails.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the analyzing step also accounts for a condition of the track or operating condition of the train.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
modifying one of operating conditions of the train or track conditions; and repeating the capturing steps using the modified operating conditions of the train or track conditions.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the captured images and the simultaneously captured measurements are correlated and used to fine tune a crossing warning time device connected to the track.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the captured images and the simultaneously captured measurements are correlated and used to fine tune a shunting characteristic of the train.

Assignees

• Siemens Industry Inc

Inventors

• Harp Brian

Classifications

• B61L23/041

  Obstacle detection · CPC title

• B61L29/226

  using track-circuits, closed or short-circuited by train or using isolated rail-sections · CPC title

• B61L13/04

  using electrical or magnetic interaction between vehicle and track {, e.g. by conductor circuits using special means or special conductors} · CPC title

• B61L1/20 Primary

  Safety arrangements for preventing or indicating malfunction of the device, e.g. by leakage current, by lightning · CPC title

• B61L27/0088

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic