RU2419567C1 - Method and device to control railway track rails - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to railway transport. Proposed method comprises measuring rails spacing by means of contact and contactless (laser) metres. Distances between rails measured by contact and contactless metres are compared. If discrepancy in readings of said metres falls below tolerance, mean arithmetic values is entered into memory. If discrepancy in readings of said metres exceeds tolerance for straight track section, readings of contactless metre are entered in memory. In control track curved section, track curve radius is defined.

EFFECT: higher accuracy of control.

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Description

The invention relates to railway transport, specifically to travel patterns.

A known method and device for measuring the distance between the rails according to the application of the Russian Federation for invention No. 2003131043. The device contains two laser sensors. The method consists in scanning the rails and comparing the results of measuring the distance between them with acceptable values.

A known method and device for non-contact measurement of the transverse profile and the distance between the rails of the track according to the patent of the Russian Federation for invention No. 22585873.

The method of non-contact measurement of the transverse profile or the distance between the track rails involves measuring with the scanning rays of two laser sensors located on a moving platform above the rails, the rail profile and the distance to it, and entering these values into the computer database depending on the distance traveled and determining deviations from setpoints. The device contains two laser sensors mounted above the rails on the platform, and the computer to which they are connected. The system includes a platform wheel speed sensor that performs the function of measuring the distance traveled.

The disadvantage of this system is its limited functionality when diagnosing railway tracks, because do not determine the longitudinal and transverse slopes of the track.

Known universal coordinate measuring template for St. RF for utility model No. 43,065, publ. 12/27/2004, which contains a vernier caliper and a mechanical protractor. Disadvantages - low measurement accuracy, limited functionality, the impossibility of measuring the radius of curvature of the rail in the plan, determining the location of the measured track section.

A well-known travel pattern for a patent of the Russian Federation for utility model No. 76344, prototype. The template contains a housing, movable and fixed stops and a contact sensor designed to measure gauge, elevation of one rail relative to another, etc.

This hand tool has a large weight and dimensions and low measurement accuracy, up to 1 ... 2 mm.

A known method and portable device for monitoring rails of a railway track according to US Pat. EPO No. 1039034, prototype.

This method includes measuring with a contact sensor located on the housing of the measuring rail, and determining deviations from the set values, recording the results in a database.

This device comprises a measuring rail housing having movable and fixed stops, on one of which a contact sensor is fixed, connected by electrical connections to the processor, to which a memory unit is connected.

Disadvantages: the template does not allow determining the radius of rounding of the rails and the location of the monitored section of the track, does not accurately measure inclination angles and other parameters, and does not allow transmitting information to the monitoring center.

The objective of the invention is to increase the accuracy of measurement, determine the radius of rounding of the rails and expand the functionality of the system.

The solution of these problems was achieved in a method for monitoring rails of a railway track, including measuring the distance between the rails using a contact sensor located on the housing of the measuring rail, and determining deviations from the set values, recording the results in a memory unit, so that the distance between the rails is additionally measured at using a proximity sensor, such as a laser, compare the distance between the rails measured by the contact sensor and the proximity sensor, in the event of a spacing and sensor readings below the minimum are entered into the memory unit the arithmetic mean value when a difference between the readings of the sensors above the permissible on the straight portion of the rails in a memory unit of the proximity sensor reading is recorded, and radius-in the control portion of the rail define a radius of curvature of the rails.

Fundamentals of the functioning of global positioning, for example, GPS-systems

The theory of ranging is based on the calculation of the propagation distance of a radio signal from a satellite to a receiver using a time delay. If you know the propagation time of the radio signal, then the path traveled by it is easy to calculate by simply multiplying the propagation time of the radio signal by the speed of light. Each satellite of the GPS system continuously generates radio waves of two frequencies - (L1 = 1575.42 MHz and L2 = 1227.60 MHz). The navigation signal is a phase-manipulated pseudo-random PRN code (Pseudo Random Number code). The PRN code is of two types. The first is the C / A code (Coarse Acquisition code), which is used in civilian receivers. It allows you to get only a rough estimate of the location, which is why it is called a “rough” code. The C / A code is transmitted at the frequency L1 using phase manipulation of a pseudo-random sequence of 1023 characters in length. Error protection is provided through the Gould code. The repetition period of the C / A code is 1 ms. Another code - P (precision code) provides a more accurate calculation of coordinates, but access to it is limited. Basically, the P-code is provided to the military and (sometimes) federal services of the United States (for example, to solve problems of geodesy and cartography). This code is transmitted at L2 using an extra-long pseudo-random sequence with a repetition period of 267 days. This code is available, in principle, to civilians. But the algorithm for processing it is much more complicated, therefore, the equipment is more expensive. In turn, the frequency L1 is modulated by both C / A and P code. The GPS signal may also contain the so-called Y-code, which is an encrypted version of the P-code (in wartime, the encryption system may change).

In addition to navigation signals, the satellite continuously transmits various kinds of overhead information. The user of the GPS receiver is informed about the status of the satellite and its parameters: system time; ephemeris (accurate satellite orbit data); the predicted propagation delay time of the radio signal in the ionosphere (since the speed of light changes with the passage of different layers of the atmosphere), the satellite’s operability (the so-called “almanac” contains information on the status and orbits of all satellites updated every 1 ... 5 min). This data is transmitted.

The basis for determining the coordinates of the GPS receiver is the calculation of the distance from it to several satellites, the location of which is considered known (these data are in the "almanac" received from the GPS satellite). In geodesy, the method of calculating the position of an object by measuring its distance from points with given coordinates is called "trilateration".

If the distance to one satellite is known, then the coordinates of the receiver cannot be determined (it can be located anywhere in the sphere with a radius described around the satellite).

Let the receiver distance from the second satellite be known. In this case, the determination of coordinates is also not possible - the object is on a circle, which is the intersection of two spheres. The distance to the third satellite reduces the uncertainty in coordinates to two points. This is already enough to uniquely determine the coordinates - the fact is that of the two possible points of location of the receiver, only one is on the surface of the Earth (or in the immediate vicinity of it), and the second, false, is either deep inside the Earth or very high above it surface. Thus, for three-dimensional navigation it is theoretically sufficient to know the distance from the receiver to 3 satellites.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings of figures 1 ... 6, where:

- figure 1 shows the design of the device,

- figure 2 shows a section aa,

- figure 3 is a diagram of the measurement of the transverse inclination of the path,

- figure 4 is a section bB,

- figure 5 is an electrical diagram of a device,

- figure 6 is a diagram of information retrieval.

The device (figure 1 ... 6) is designed to measure the distance between the rails 1 and contains a housing of the measuring rail 2 and a contact sensor 3. On the housing of the measuring rail 2 on one side there is a fixed stop 4, and on the other a movable stop 5 installed in grooves 6, made in the housing of the measuring rail 2. The movable stop 5 is spring-loaded with springs 7 installed in the through holes 8, in the direction opposite to the fixed stop 4. In the gap 6, a switch 9 with normally open contacts 10 is installed. On the fixed stop 4 in it the middle part on the line of the longitudinal axis of the device has a roller 11, on the movable stop 5 symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device two rollers 12 are installed. Between the rollers 12 on the longitudinal axis of the device a contact sensor 3 is installed.

An additional proximity sensor 13, for example, a laser range finder, and a processor 14 connected to it by electrical connections 15 are additionally mounted on the housing of the measuring rail 2.

A memory unit 16, to which an external electrical connector 17 is connected, and a receiver of the global positioning system 18 are connected to the processor 14 by electrical connections 15. An electrical connector 17 is used to collect information from the memory unit 16 to an external computer or flash memory.

The receiver of the global positioning system 18, for example, the GLONASS or GPS system, is connected by a radio communication channel 19 to three satellites of the system 20 located in orbit. A power supply 21 is installed inside the housing of the measuring rail 2, for example, batteries connected by electrically conductive springs 22 and insulated by electrical insulating spacers 23 from the housing of the measuring rail 2. Electrical contacts 15 are connected to contacts 15, circuit breaker 9, processor 14 and other energy consumers ( figure 1). The housing of the measuring rail 2 is closed by a cover 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) made of a translucent material, such as plastic, for receiving a signal by the receiver of the global positioning system 18. The proximity sensor 13 contains a bracket 25 mounted perpendicular to the housing of the measuring rail 2 and is designed (if applicable laser range finder) for generating a laser beam 26 towards one of the rails 1 and receiving a reflected signal for measuring the distance from this sensor to the rail 1 (distance B, FIG. 3). The device may include a display 27 that displays the measured information connected to the processor 14, and a signal light 28 that is activated when the device malfunctions, for example, with a large difference in the results of measuring the distance between the rails 1 (on a straight section of the track).

In addition, the device may contain one or two accelerometers 29 for determining the spatial orientation of the portable device (longitudinal and transverse inclination of the device) and connected to the processor 14 through the controller 30 (Fig.5 and 6). The placement of the accelerometer 29 on the housing of the measuring rail is shown in figure 3. In the following, a device is considered using two one-component accelerometers 29 (FIGS. 5 and 6). In addition, the device may include a magnetometer 31 connected through a controller 30 to the processor 14. The magnetometer 31 is designed to determine the azimuthal orientation of the housing of the measuring rail 2, and therefore, rails 1.

The device (Fig. 6) can be equipped with a remote sensing information reading system 19. For this, the device is equipped with a transmitting and receiving device 32 connected to the processor 14, an antenna 33 is connected to the transmitting and receiving device 32. The remote control device 34 contains a stationary receiving a transmitting device 35 to which the antenna 36 and the server 37 are connected.

Work with the measuring device is as follows (figure 1).

On straight sections of the railway track when installing the body of the measuring rail 2 on one of the rails 1, a fixed stop 4 is applied to one of the rails 1, while the roller 11 abuts against the first rail 1. Then the movable stop 5 is brought into contact with another rail 1, while the rollers 12 come into contact with the second rail 1 and the contact 10 is closed, and electric energy from the power supply 21 is supplied to all electronic components of the device, including the processor 14. The non-contact sensor 13 (laser) periodically supplies a laser beam 26 to the surface 1 st second rail to which the movable pawl 5 is connected, and determine the distance to it along the axis of the device. With a slight discrepancy between the readings of the contact and proximity sensors 3 and 13, the readings of the proximity sensor are recorded in memory as more accurate. If the readings of sensors 3 and 13 are significantly different, the processor sends a signal to the signal light 28. After this, it is necessary to find out the reason for the difference in the measurement results, to do this, make adjustment (alignment of the readings of sensors 3 and 13 on a stand simulating a rail track).

Since the distance between the proximity sensor 13 and the fixed stop 4 is strictly fixed, the distance between the rails 1 is calculated by the formula L = B + C.

These data are recorded in the memory unit 16 with reference to the distance traveled if a global positioning receiver 18 is used. The position of the measuring rail 2 housing with an accuracy of 1 ... 2 m is determined by the GLONASS or GPS global remote positioning system. The receiver of the global positioning system 18 receives a signal from at least three satellites of the system 20 and from them determines the location of the housing of the measuring rail 2 with an accuracy of 2 m. These data are transmitted to the processor 14 and then to the memory unit 16.

Then, the distances between the rails 1 measured by the sensors 3 and 13 are compared. When the difference is exceeded, the signal is transmitted to the signal lamp 28, and for recording to the memory unit 16, the signal received from the proximity sensor 13 is transmitted as more accurate and reliable. But at the same time, it is necessary to find out the reason for the difference in the readings of sensors 3 and 13 (to make adjustments on a bench rail simulator and to configure both sensors).

At the same time, the accelerometers 29 (Fig. 4) measure the transverse and longitudinal tilts of the housing of the measuring rail 2 (angle φ1 and φ2). These values are also compared with the maximum permissible.

Information from the memory unit 16 can be removed in two ways.

1. A computer or flash memory is connected to the electrical connector 17 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) and copied to this computer (flash memory).

2. If necessary, you can transmit information from the memory unit 16 during the entire time of its movement in the control process for the prevention of the railway track to the remote control device 34 through the transmitting and receiving devices 32 and 35 and their antennas 33 and 36 via radio channel 19 (Fig.6 )

In the presence of a magnetometer 31 (Figs. 5 and 6), the azimuthal position of the rail 2 body and, therefore, rail 1 is recorded and transmitted through the controller 30 to the processor 14 and further to the memory unit 16. These data can be used to calculate the radius of curvature in terms of the rail rails ways - R.

Determination of the rail radius of a railway track.

When installing the rack housing 2 on a radial section, the distance between the rails 1 measured by the contact sensor 3 will always be less than that measured by the contactless sensor 13, i.e.

L0≤L1

The processor 14 calculates the radius of curvature of the outer rail 1 (figure 4) based on the similarity of the triangles according to the formula

where D is the distance between the rollers 12,

L0 is the distance between the rails 1, measured by the sensor 13,

L1 - the distance between the rails 1, measured by the sensor 3.

It is relatively easy to program the processor 14 to perform calculations to determine the radius of curvature of the rail 1 in plan at a given point. Having performed several measurements of R on the part of the path we are interested in using processor 14, we can determine the arithmetic mean value of R cf.

Example 1

The implementation of the operation of the device on a straight section of the track with an acceptable discrepancy between the readings of two sensors

L stand = 1435 mm

L0 = 1436.2 mm

Measurement accuracy L0 = 0.1 mm

L1 = 1436.4 mm

Measurement accuracy L0 = 0.05 mm

The maximum allowable difference in the readings of sensors 3 and 13 is adopted 0.2 mm.

The memory unit contains the arithmetic mean of the readings of two sensors

Example 2

The implementation of the operation of the device on a straight section of the track with an unacceptable discrepancy between the readings of two sensors

L stand = 1435 mm

L0 = 1436.25 mm

Measurement accuracy L0 = 0.1 mm.

Claims (1)

A method for monitoring rails of a railway track, including measuring the distance between the rails using a contact sensor located on the housing of the measuring rail, and determining deviations from the set values, recording the results in a memory unit, characterized in that the distance between the rails is additionally measured using a non-contact sensor, for example laser, and compare the distance between the rails, measured by the contact sensor and the proximity sensor, if there is a difference in the readings of the sensors ilk permissible storage unit are entered in the arithmetic mean value when a difference between the readings of the sensors above the permissible on the straight portion of the rails in a memory unit of the proximity sensor reading is recorded, and when the control portion radius-rails define a radius of curvature of the rails.

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