RU2317907C2 - Method of and system for complex remote control of state, safety and overall dimensions of cargoes carried by rail - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: railway transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to devices for checking state, safety and overall dimensions of carried cargoes. Proposed method includes getting of video image of outer surface of train, checking of observation of loading gauge limits when passing clearance gate check zone. Infra-red image of each unit of train and cargo in train at different aspects coinciding with aspects of video images, for instance, from sides and top, are obtained. Contour image is separated from obtained video image and type of train unit is identified by comparing contour video image with known standard video image kept in data base of workstation computer and with infra-red image by comparing their scale images. Position and level of cargo inside car is determined by comparing infra-red and video contour images. Received data are checked against train schedule and, basing on results of checking, state, overall dimensions and safety to cargo are determined. Proposed system has clearance gates with optoelectronic sensors, TV camera, train beginning sensor and carrying structure for infra-red set.

EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities.

5 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a device for determining the state, safety of transported goods, as well as their overall dimensions.

There is a method of remote monitoring the safety of goods on the railway [1], which consists in obtaining a television image of the appearance of the rolling stock at the entrance to the arrival park, recording this image and recognizing the deviation of the image of the observed object from the reference image sample obtained earlier when leaving the departure park and transferred to the arrival park before the arrival of the observed object.

The disadvantage of this method is that it does not allow to determine the state of the load inside the car or tank, to detect its loss or displacement, which is extremely important for traffic safety.

A device for controlling the oversized cargo on a rolling stock [2] (AS No. 432028, 1972), containing vertical racks with rotary elements forming the contour of the loading dimension and installed independently from each other and are equipped with angle sensors that are electrically connected to electronic signal processing unit and mechanical compensators, consisting of pivotally attached cases.

The disadvantage of this device is that contact with oversized cargo occurs mechanically, with impact. This limits the speed of the controlled train. In addition, the device does not allow to determine the state of the load inside the car.

A known system for remote monitoring of commercial malfunctions on rolling stock [3], containing a sensor of the beginning of the composition and a U-shaped load-bearing structure mounted above the rail, a television camera of the roof of the car, mounted on the crossbar of the load-bearing structure, a meter for counting the cars, mounted on vertical supports of the load-bearing structure , the outputs of the sensors are connected through the display unit and coordination with the input of the system unit of the workstation, characterized in that the projectors are fixed in it, fixed and the supporting structure, the left-side car camera and the right-hand side television camera, mounted on the vertical supports of the supporting structure, and the wheel count sensor, wherein the composition start sensor and the wheel count sensor are fixed on the vertical supports of the supporting structure, the output of the wheel count sensor is connected through the display unit and coordination with the input of the system unit of the workstation, the outputs of all cameras are associated with the corresponding video inputs of the system unit of the workstation, which with the possibility of displaying on a computer monitor screen in real time the video of the passing train simultaneously from three television cameras in the POLYEKRAN mode, as well as full-screen viewing of the train from one selected camera, recording compressed video from three television cameras to the hard disk, playing back the video and creating a video archive .

A known method of remote control of the dimensions of goods loaded on rolling stock during their movement [4], including monitoring compliance with the boundaries of the loading dimension at the entrance of the composition to the control zone using optoelectronic sensors and determining the oversized cargo, characterized in that they determine the boundaries of the combined zone dimension loading and gauge of the rolling stock with the outline of the lateral gauge of loading according to the gauge of the rolling stock and install optoelectronic sensors at the specified boundaries.

This method implements a system of electronic clearance doors for remote monitoring of the dimensions of goods loaded onto rolling stock [4] during their movement to implement this method, comprising an optoelectronic sensor for detecting the beginning of the train and a U-shaped supporting structure mounted above the rail track, on which five optoelectronic sensors for monitoring the loading dimension and an optoelectronic sensor for counting cars are placed, the outputs of all optoelectronic sensors are connected to the input of the display unit and matched I, the output of which is connected with the personal electronic computer of the operator, characterized in that it is additionally equipped with four optoelectronic sensors for monitoring the loading dimension, which are installed according to CL RU 2249523 C11С 3259422 UR to the boundaries of the combined zone loading dimension and the rolling stock dimension when outlining the lateral loading gauge the size of the rolling stock, and an optoelectronic wheel pair counting sensor located on a U-shaped structure, while the optoelectronic detection sensor began and the composition is also located on a U-shaped structure, and the indication and coordination unit is made with the possibility of working offline.

The disadvantage of this technical solution in the absence of the ability to simultaneously determine the condition of the rolling stock and cargo.

A well-known automated system for the commercial inspection of trains and wagons [5], containing an optoelectronic sensor of the beginning of the train and mounted above the rail by a U-shaped load-bearing structure on which a television camera is located, designed to obtain an image of the roof of cars, five optoelectronic sensors for monitoring the overall loading of cars, optoelectronic wagon counting sensor, while the outputs of the sensors are connected to the inputs of the display and matching unit, the output of the display and matching unit is connected to the input a sonal electronic computer (PC) of the operator’s workstation, the output of which is connected to a monitor, characterized in that four additional optoelectronic sensors for monitoring the loading dimensions of cars, an optoelectronic wheel pair counting sensor, three additional television cameras designed to receive images of the left and the right side of the cars, as well as the control of seals of tank hatches, and searchlights, with additional sensors for monitoring the overall loading of the cars mounted on a supporting structure with the ability to control, together with other similar sensors, the boundaries of the combined zonal loading and rolling stock dimensions, the optoelectronic sensor for the beginning of the train, the optoelectronic wheel pair counting sensor, the television cameras on the left and right sides of the cars are fixed on supports, the television camera for monitoring the seals of tank hatches - on the crossbar, and the spotlights on the poles CL RU 2252170 С11С 0712522 UR and the crossbar of the supporting structure, the outputs of all television cameras are connected to the video inputs of the PC, the outputs of the additional sensors for monitoring the overall loading of the wagons and the wheel pair counting sensor are connected to the corresponding inputs of the indicating and matching unit connected by the control input to the PC output, the indicating and matching unit is capable of working offline.

The disadvantage of the mentioned devices is that they detect only external violations and cannot detect hidden loading defects, for example, displacement of the cargo inside the car, as well as determine the fact of theft. It is impossible to use them to detect a violation of the technical condition of the rolling stock, for example, to determine the temperature of heated axle boxes, a hidden source of ignition, etc.

However, in its technical essence, the last mentioned device is the closest to the proposed one and can serve as a prototype.

The objective of the proposed device is the ability to identify the condition of the cargo (both bulk and loose), its displacement, the detection of its disappearance, the heating temperature of the cargo and rolling stock elements (overheating of the axle boxes), leakage in tanks for liquid cargo, the presence of thermal radiation inside the car, for example, the detection of hidden fires, the presence of people and animals, etc.

The problem is solved as follows. In addition to the existing equipment in the form of dimensional gates, in the form of television cameras, optoelectronic gauges, gauge cars, install at least one thermal imaging installation, the field of view of which coincides with one of the cameras, receive a contour television image of a unit of rolling stock (car, tank) , compare it with the contours of standard known units of rolling stock with the resulting contour image, identify the resulting image. A thermal imaging image of the carriage is obtained from different angles that coincide with the angles of the television cameras, which is displayed on the screen of a video monitor operating in the "multi-screen" mode, where it is compared with the previously received television image and a standard contour television image. The video image is tied to the coordinates of the studied car. On the screen of the monitor display the image of the railway dimensions with the indication of restricted areas.

The described method implements a system of integrated remote monitoring of the condition, safety and dimensionality of goods transported by railroad, containing a dimensional gate equipped with optoelectronic dimensions sensors, television surveillance cameras, a train start sensor and a supporting structure mounted above the rail track, wagon counting sensor, sensor outputs are connected through the display and coordination unit with the input of the system unit of the workstation, the outputs of all cameras are connected the corresponding video inputs of the system unit of the automated workstation, which is configured to display in real time video images of the passing train simultaneously from all cameras in the "POLYECRAN" mode, as well as full-screen viewing of the train from one selected camera, recording compressed video to the hard disk from all television cameras, playing video and creating a video archive. At least one thermal imaging installation is additionally installed on the supporting structure, the field of view of which covers the object under study - a unit of the train (wagon, tank, platform) and coincides with the field of view of the neighboring camera, the thermal imaging installation is connected by a communication line to the input of the system unit of the automated worker places with the possibility of obtaining contour television images of the studied object, its standard analogue, selected from the computer database, and thermal imaging and siderations object, with the possibility of comparing them.

Thermal imaging installations are located to the right, left and top of the object under study, their fields of view are combined with the fields of view of the corresponding neighboring cameras.

The emitters of the corresponding optoelectronic sensors are directed into the lens of the thermal imaging installation with the possibility of establishing optical communication part of their light flux. In practice, the operator on the monitor screen sees a luminous dot, which in the normal state should not be closed by any elements of the moving train.

Thermal imaging determines the contours of the cargo placed inside the car (tank) and, comparing them with the contours of the usable volumes in the rolling stock intended for the cargo, they judge the condition of the cargo, the degree of displacement of its center of mass and violation of dimensionality, detect the presence of elevated temperature zones, and detect unauthorized the presence of people and animals on the rolling stock, determine the presence of leaks in tanks for liquid cargo, as well as its level in the tank.

The drawing shows the installation diagram.

The device comprises a dimensional gate 1 equipped with optoelectronic sensors of 2 dimensions, television surveillance cameras 3, a sensor 4 for the beginning of the train, and a supporting structure 5 mounted above the rail, a sensor 6 for counting cars, the outputs of the sensors 2, 4, 6 are connected through an indication unit 7 and coordination with the input of the system unit 8 of the workstation 9, the outputs of all cameras 3 are associated with the corresponding video inputs of the system unit 8 of the workstation 9, which is configured to display 1 0 computer monitor in real time video of the passing composition simultaneously from all cameras 3 in the mode "POLYECRAN." At least one thermal imaging installation 11 is additionally installed on the supporting structure 5, the field of view of which is directed to the object under study - a train unit (wagon, tank, platform) and coincides with the field of view of the neighboring camera 3, thermal imaging installation 11 is connected by a communication line with the input of the system unit 8 of the automated workstation 9 with the possibility of obtaining combined contour television images of the studied object, its standard analogue, selected from a computer database and 12, and the thermal image of the object. Thermal imaging installations 11 are placed in pairs with neighboring television cameras 3 to the right, left and above the object under study, their field of view is combined with the field of view of the corresponding neighboring cameras 3. The emitters 13 of the corresponding optoelectronic sensors 2 are partially directed into the lens of the thermal imaging installation 11 with the possibility of establishing optical communication part their luminous flux.

The device operates as follows. When the train is moving through the clearance gate 1, the train is first marked with the help of the sensor 4, then the car 6 is counted by the sensor 6, determining the serial number of each car, using television cameras 3 they receive a television image of the outer surface of the train, identify it using the thermal imaging unit 11 get a thermal image of the internal content of each car, extract from the database a contour standard image of the car under study, determine the type, brand, mode l of the vehicle, to compare these images on a monitor screen 10 to visually assess the condition of the cargo, its safety and loading of dimensions, to record images on a computer hard drive and 12 in case of violations of the last record. Thermal imaging installations 11 are installed so that part of the light flux from the emitters 13 of the optoelectronic sensors 2 falls into their field of view. Observing the image of the emitters 13, duplicate the operation of the optoelectronic sensors, increasing the likelihood of detecting oversize and reducing the likelihood of false alarms. In addition, studying thermal imaging images, one can detect the level of filling tanks, leaks in their bodies, which reveal themselves as a local decrease in temperature and are visible on the thermal imaging image as spots of a different color, different from the general background. These facts are also recorded.

The applicant manufactured experimental equipment, the test of which confirmed the declared capabilities.

Information sources

1. Patent No. 2138077, 1997. Method for remote monitoring of cargo safety

2. A.S. No. 432028, 1972. A device for monitoring oversize on rolling stock.

3. Application No. 2003108406, 2003. A method for remote monitoring of commercial failures.

4. 3 application No. 2004119031, 2004. A method for remote monitoring of cargo dimensions.

5. Application No. 2004119032, 2004. Automated system for the commercial inspection of trains and wagons (ASKO PV) (prototype).

Claims (5)

1. A method for comprehensive remote monitoring of the condition, safety and dimensionality of goods transported by rail, including obtaining a television image of the outer surface of the rolling stock, monitoring compliance with the limits of the loading dimension when the train passes through the control zone of the dimensional gates, characterized in that they additionally receive a thermal image of each unit rolling stock (wagon, tank, platform) and the cargo transported to it in different angles, coinciding with the angles of the bodies vision images, for example, from the sides and from above, from the received television image, its contour image is extracted, the type of the given unit of rolling stock is identified, comparing its contour television image with its known standard television image stored in the computer database of the workstation, and with the obtained thermal image, for example, by comparing their large-scale images, and first, the resulting contour bodies are compared isionic and standard television images, determine the difference between the two images, determine violations of external dimensions by the difference between the mentioned television and standard contour images, and the position and level of the load inside the car is determined by comparing the thermal and television contour images, verify the data with a full-size sheet and then judge the condition, dimensions and safety of the cargo. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the image of the railroad dimensions indicating the restricted areas is displayed on the monitor screen. 3. A system for integrated remote monitoring of the condition, safety and dimensionality of goods transported by rail, containing a clearance gate equipped with optoelectronic dimensions sensors, television surveillance cameras, a sensor for the beginning of the train, and a supporting structure mounted above the rail track, wagon counting sensors, and sensor outputs are connected through the display and coordination unit with the input of the system unit of the workstation, the outputs of all cameras are associated with the corresponding video by the moves of the system unit of the automated workstation, which is configured to display on-screen a computer monitor in real time video images of the passing train simultaneously from all TV cameras in the POLYEKRAN mode, as well as full-screen viewing of the train from one selected camera, recording compressed video from the hard drive of all television cameras, video playback and creating a video archive, characterized in that at least additionally installed on the supporting structure , one thermal imaging installation, the field of view of which covers the object under study - a unit of the train (wagon, tank, platform) and coincides with the field of view of the neighboring camera, the thermal imaging installation is connected by a communication line to the input of the system unit of the automated workstation with the possibility of obtaining contour television images of the object under study , its standard analogue, selected from the computer database and the thermal image of the object, with the possibility of comparing them. 4. The system of comprehensive control of the condition, safety and overall dimensions of cargo according to claim 3, characterized in that the thermal imaging installations are located to the right, left and top of the object under study, their field of view is combined with the field of view of the corresponding neighboring cameras. 5. The system of comprehensive control of the condition, safety and overall dimensions of cargo according to claim 3, characterized in that the emitters of the corresponding optoelectronic sensors are directed into the lens of the thermal imaging installation with the possibility of establishing optical communication with part of their light flux.