Detecting damage in rails
OwnerRoger Mark Slomaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of detecting damage in a rail includes the step of running a vehicle on the rail, detecting the sound produced by the rail as a result of the vehicle running on the rail and analyzing the detected sound to provide an indication of any damage to the rail. Alternatively or additionally, the light reflected by the rail (including laser light directed at the rail) and/or the temperature of the rail may be detected. The method is particularly aimed at detecting complete breaks in rails. the method may be carried out while the train is operating a normal commercial service, thus minimizing disruption and providing continuous analysis of the condition of the rail network.
Claims57
A method of detecting damage in a rail, the method including the steps of running a vehicle on the rail, detecting sound produced by the rail as a result of the vehicle running on the rail, using sound sensing apparatus positioned on the rail vehicle, near the rail, and analysing the detected sound to provide an indication of damage to the rail.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the sound detected is within the audible spectrum.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound sensing apparatus includes a microphone device.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method includes the step of partially or completely cancelling unwanted background sounds.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the detected sound is recorded.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of recording the position of the vehicle.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the, step of analysing the frequencies within the detected sound spectrum by Fourier analysis or a similar method.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the analysed sound is compared with a reference sound fingerprint based on the sound produced by an unbroken rail.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of checking for particular frequencies present within the analysed sound, such frequencies tending to indicate damage.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of checking for the absence of particular frequencies within the analysed sound, the absence of such frequencies tending to indicate damage.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of checking for a drop in amplitude of the sound produced by the rail and/or a significant increase in amplitude of the sound produced by the rail, in particular for a spike in the amplitude with respect to the position of the vehicle on the rail.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of simultaneously detecting the sound produced by the vehicle running on each of two adjacent rails in a pair of rails and comparing the analysed sound from each of the rails to check for abnormalities.
A method according to any preceding claim, including the step of recording the data for a particular track and comparing subsequent data for the same track with the previously recorded data, to detect any changes indicating rail damage.
A method according to any preceding claim, further including the step of detecting light reflected by an area on a surface of the rail and analysing the detected light to provide an indication of damage to the rail within the area.
A method according to any preceding claim, the method including the steps of directing beams of coherent electromagnetic radiation towards the rail and analysing the reflected radiation to provide an indication of damage to the rail.
A method according to any preceding claim, further including the step of taking a temperature reading indicative of the temperature of the rail and analysing the temperature reading to provide an indication of damage to the rail.
A method of detecting damage in a rail, the method including the steps of running a vehicle on the rail, detecting light reflected by an area on a surface of the rail, taking a temperature reading indicative of the temperature of the rail and analysing the detected light and the temperature readings to provide an indication of damage to the rail.
A method of detecting damage in a rail, the method including the step of running a vehicle on the rail and providing detection means for providing an alert only when a complete break of the rail is detected.
Apparatus for detecting damage in a rail, the apparatus including sensing apparatus, means for mounting the sound sensing apparatus on a rail vehicle, means for detecting sound produced by the rail as a result of the vehicle running on the rail and means for analysing the detected sound to provide an indication of damage to the rail.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus further including means for directing laser light towards the rail and analysing the reflected radiation to provide an indication of damage to the rail.
A method substantially as herein described with reference to any of the drawings.
Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any of the drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.