EA025429B1 - Automated system for commercial inspection of trains and carriages - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is related to railway automatics and telemechanics. An U-shaped support structure installed above the rail track carries four televisions cameras, a sensor for determining the head of a train, floodlights and at least two laser scanners. Sensors for counting carriages and for counting wheel pairs are combined in a wheel counter sensor, the latter being mounted on a rail in line with the support structure. A device for processing information received from laser scanners is based on a PC microprocessor device installed in the operator's workstation. The TV cameras are intended to obtain images of carriage roof, left and right boards, and for control of the presence of seals on tank car hatches. The laser scanners are intended for scanning the space in the zone of rolling stock inspection and for measurement of distance to different points of passing carriages for consecutive inspection of vehicle gauge, zonal loading gauge, main loading gauge, the degree of load oversizing. An additional scanner for control of load residues and uniformity of loading may be mounted on the cross-beam of the support structure. Outputs of all TV cameras and laser scanners are connected to PC, outputs of the sensor for determining the head of a train and the wheel counter sensor are connected to inputs of a matching unit (MU), the control input and output of MU are connected to PC. A monitor is connected to the PC output. Outputs of laser scanners, TV cameras and the matching unit are connected to PC by means of a local data-processing network through network switches. The information processing device is designed for forming, during the train movement, an array of two-dimensional carriage profiles and a three-dimensional carriage image for comparison with created earlier gauge templates for detecting violation of gauge boundaries. The technical result is provision of an independent system for automating the process of prompt control of commercial defects that may threaten train traffic safety and transported goods security.

Description

The invention relates to railway transport, in particular to devices of automation and telemechanics, monitoring the technical and commercial condition of a moving train and video monitoring of safety, proper placement and securing of cargo on an open rolling stock, serviceability of the sides, roofs of cars and tanks, the presence of cargo residues and details fastenings. An automated system for the commercial inspection of trains and wagons (ASKO PV) is proposed.

The known ASKO PV containing a U-shaped supporting structure, on which four television cameras are located, is used to obtain images of the left and right sides of the cars, the roof of the cars, as well as to control the presence of seals on the hatches of tanks, optoelectronic sensors of the beginning of the composition, the count of the cars, the wheel count steam, nine optoelectronic sensors for monitoring the loading dimensions of wagons designed to ensure control of the boundaries of the combined zonal loading dimension and rolling stock dimension, floodlights, t outputs television cameras are connected to the video inputs of a personal electronic computer (PC), the outputs of optoelectronic sensors for monitoring the overall loading of wagons, optoelectronic sensors for counting wheel pairs, the beginning of the composition, counting for cars are connected to the corresponding inputs of the display and matching unit, the control input, and also the output of which are connected to PC serial ports, to the output of which a monitor is connected, the indication and coordination unit is configured to operate in standalone mode (KI 2252170 C1 V61K 9/02).

The disadvantage of the known ASKO PV is that it does not allow monitoring the degree of oversized cargo, which is necessary to ensure the prompt detection of commercial failures that threaten the safety of train traffic. In addition, during visual observation of rolling stock, the operator in atmospheric conditions (fog, light exposure to the sun, spotlight, etc.) may not determine the presence of cargo residues and the uniform loading of open rolling stock, which is necessary to ensure the safety of transported goods and the safety of train traffic.

Closest to the proposed ASKO PV is a device containing a dimensional gate with optical units connected by communication channels to a computing device to which a monitor is connected, an image processing unit and a unit for comparing loading dimensions, the dimensional gate is made of two vertical racks spaced in the longitudinal direction, on which at least three optical units made in the form of m of laser rangefinders, the output of the computing device is connected to the input of the image processing unit, the output of which is connected to the first input of the loading dimensions comparison unit, the output of the memory of the computing device, in which the image of the maximum permissible loading size is preliminarily recorded, and the output of the comparison unit is connected connected to the second input of the monitor (Ki 2408487 C1 V61K 9/02).

The disadvantage of this device is determined by the fact that with its help only the maximum permissible loading size is controlled, and due to the presence of a pitch of at least 500 mm in the matrices of laser rangefinders, skipping of the carriage and cargo side elements is allowed when forming the profile. Also, due to the lack of a crossbar and control equipment, the internal profile of an open wagon is not formed, which is necessary to control the uniformity of loading and the presence of cargo residues.

The objective of the present invention is the creation of ASKO PV with automatic, visual and sound control of violations of the dimensions of the rolling stock, the zonal loading dimension, the main loading dimension, the degree of oversized cargo, the presence of cargo residues and uniform loading of the open rolling stock according to data from the device for processing information from laser scanners , visual control of the commercial condition of the rolling stock when passing it in the control zone using television cameras to the left the side of the wagon, the roof of the wagon, the right side of the wagon and the control of seals on the tank hatches in real time on the operator’s personal computer screen in the Split screen mode (simultaneous display of four image windows from television cameras and an oversized output window on the generated two-dimensional wagon profile, with the current car numbers, oversized zones, as well as a three-dimensional image of the car, providing its three-dimensional representation, with the oversized zone displayed), generation of a report (reference) on commercial non equalities of cars, the creation of a video archive.

The technical result of the invention is, therefore, to create an independent ASKO PV system that automates the process of operational monitoring of commercial failures that threaten the safety of train traffic and the safety of the transported cargo.

The essence of the invention lies in the fact that in the ASKO PV, which includes a U-shaped load-bearing structure mounted above the rail, on which there are three television cameras designed to receive images of the left side of the car, the right side of the car and the roof of the car, a television camera for monitoring the availability seals on tank hatches, sensors for determining the beginning of composition, counting cars and counting wheelsets, searchlights, as well as at least two laser scanners designed to scan space in a plane to the direction of movement of the train, and measurements in the polar coordinate system of distances and angles to various points of passing cars in order to control the size of the rolling stock, the zonal loading dimension, the main loading dimension, the degree of oversized cargo, a device for processing information from laser scanners, and sensors for counting cars and counting wheelsets are combined into a sensor for counting wheels, which is mounted on a rail in the alignment of the supporting structure, the outputs of all television cameras, laser scanners are connected to A personal computer installed on the operator’s workstation, the outputs of the sensor for determining the beginning of the composition and the wheel count sensor are connected to the corresponding inputs of the matching unit, the control input and output of which are connected to the personal computer, the output of which is connected to a monitor, while the outputs of laser scanners, television cameras, and also the coordination unit is connected to the PC by the local computer network via network switches.

In this case, the device for processing information from laser scanners is based on a microprocessor-based PC device with the ability to automatically generate an array of two-dimensional car profiles and its three-dimensional image when the train is moving in order to compare it with previously created size templates to determine violation of their boundaries. An additional laser scanner is additionally installed on the crossbar of the supporting structure in order to control cargo residues and uniform loading of open rolling stock.

In FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the ASKO PV (the location of the lighting system is not shown).

In FIG. 2 shows the layout of the ASKO PV on the supporting structure.

To ensure control, at least two laser scanners (LS1 1, LS2 2) are mounted on the supporting structure, in addition, a scanner (LS3 3) can be installed on the supporting structure, which scan spaces in a plane perpendicular to the direction of train movement and are measured in the polar system distance coordinates and angles to various points of passing cars. The parameters of distances and angles in the form of output signals from scanners (LS1 1, LS2 2, LS3 3) through network switches (SK1 17) and (SK1 20) through a local area network are fed to the input of the information processing device (UOI 24), which is installed in a specialized system unit of the automated workplace of the operator of the point of commercial inspection (SSP AWP O PKO 25). The information processing device (UOI 24) processes the parameters and transmits the information to the input of the network card (SP 23). Scanners are powered by a power source (IP1 4).

Television cameras (TK1 9, TK2 10, TK3 11, TK4 12) installed in thermostated containers (KT1 5, KT2 6, KT3 7, KT4 8), respectively, and mounted on supports and a crossbar of a U-shaped supporting structure, are transmitted through network switches (SK1 17) and (SK1 20) on a local area network the video signals to the inputs of the network board (SP 23) of the specialized system unit of the automated workstation of the operator of the commercial inspection point (SSB ARM O PKO 25), the output of which is connected to the input of a computer monitor (M 27 ) The output of the network card (SP 23) is connected to the input of the network switch (SK2 26), the output of which is connected via a local network to the PC of the automated workstation of the receiver of the commercial inspection point (PC AWP PKO 28). The power of cameras (TK1 9, TK2 10, TK3 11, TK4 12) is provided from power sources (IP2 13, IGO 14, IP4 15, IGO 16); the devices included in the automated workplace of the operator of the point of commercial inspection (25) are supplied from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS 22).

On the supporting structure is also installed a sensor of the beginning of the composition (DN 18), and the wheel count sensor (DSC 19) is installed on the rail in the alignment of the supporting structure. The output signals from the sensors (DN 18 and DSC 19) are fed to the input of the matching unit (BS 21), which provides the count of cars with various driving algorithms (including during stops and reverse movement). The output of the matching unit (BS 21) is connected to the input of the network card (SP 23) by the local computer network via network switches (SK1 17) and (SK1 20). To ensure operation in low light conditions, searchlights are used that are mounted on a supporting structure (fig. 2 is shown conditionally).

The installation of a network switch (SK 17) and power supplies (IP1 4, IP2 13, IP3 14, IP4 15, IP5 16) in FIG. 2 not shown.

At the entrance of the rolling stock to the control zone, the locomotive crosses the beam from the gauge of the beginning of the train (ДН 18) and the installation site of the wheel counter (ДСК 19). The output signal about the intersection comes from the sensors to the matching unit (BS 21), which generates an electrical impulse and transmits to the network board (SP 23) a signal about the start of video recording. Video signals from the shopping mall (TK1 9, TK2 10, TK3 11, TK4 12) are fed to the inputs of the network card (SP 23), and information from the operator’s choice for viewing television images from cameras is displayed on the monitor (M 27). The coordination unit (BS 21) carries out the counting of cars in the control zone by signals from the sensor of the beginning of the train (DN 18) and the wheel meter (DSK 19). In this case, the coordination unit (BS 21) transmits to the network board (SP 23) of the specialized system unit (25) data on the beginning and end of the train, the current car number. The arrays of two-dimensional profiles of the car and its three-dimensional image generated by the information processing device (UOI 24) are automatically compared with pre-created size templates to determine the violation of their boundaries, with the display of the zone of violation of the size or degree of oversize on the monitor screen, as well as a graphical display of the internal profile - 2,025,429 wagons. The fact of violation of the boundaries is recorded in the event log with fixing the serial number of the car with oversized loading. In the process of passing the rolling stock, the operator can mark the viewed wagon at the time of visual detection of a commercial malfunction. Turning on the lighting system in the dark is carried out automatically using a timer.

The results of inspection of the condition of wagons and cargoes with the help of ASKO PV are processed by the operator of the automated workplace of the commercial inspection point (marking wagons, setting or removing a ban on putting a wagon in a train, entering notes on commercial malfunctions in the Wagons table). After processing the results of the inspection of the condition of the wagons and cargoes, a certificate is automatically generated about the detected commercial malfunctions of a controlled composition, which is transmitted to the automated workstation of the receiver of the commercial inspection point (AWP PKO 28). Based on these data, its operator (28) generates accounting and reporting documentation on the controlled composition and transfers it via the local network to the station's automated control system.

Thus, the proposed invention provides a commercial inspection of trains, wagons and goods, automatically detects commercial malfunctions and violations of the dimensions of the rolling stock, the zonal loading dimension, the main loading dimension, the degree of oversized cargo, cargo balances and the uniformity of the load of the open rolling stock during train movement traffic safety and safety of transported goods, creating a video archive and generating a report (certificate) on commercial malfunctions of wagons ones.

Claims (3)

CLAIM 1. Automated system for commercial inspection of trains and cars, including a U-shaped supporting structure mounted above the rail track, on which are three television cameras designed to receive images of the left side of the car, starboard of the car and the roof of the car, one television camera monitoring presence seals on tank hatches, sensors for determining the beginning of train counting, car counting and wheelset counting, spotlights, as well as at least two laser scanners for scanning space in the plane perpendicular to the direction of the train, and measuring in the polar system of coordinates of distances and angles to various points of passing cars to control the size of the rolling stock, the zonal loading gauge, the basic loading gauge, the outsized cargo loads, the information processing device from the laser scanners sensors for counting cars and counting wheelsets are combined into a sensor for counting wheels, which is mounted on a rail in the alignment of the supporting structure, the outputs of all television cameras, laser skids nerves are connected to a PC installed at the operator’s automated workplace, the outputs of the sensor for determining the beginning of the composition and the wheel count sensor are connected to the corresponding inputs of the matching unit, the control input and the output of which are connected to the PC whose output is connected to a monitor, while the outputs of laser scanners, television cameras, as well as the matching unit are connected to the PC by a local computer network through network switches. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for processing information from laser scanners is made on the basis of a microprocessor-based PC with the ability to automatically form an array of two-dimensional car profiles and its three-dimensional image during train movement for the purpose of comparison with predetermined size templates to determine the violation their boundaries. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that an additional laser scanner is installed on the girder of the supporting structure in order to control cargo residues and load uniformity of open rolling stock.