CHANGE SIGNALS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is related to a wheel counting and train detection method in the field of rail transportation systems technology, with the help of detectors fixed to the rail at certain points on a railway line, which detects the wheels of railway vehicles, passing through that point and allows the determination of the number of wheels passing through that point and the direction of train movement.

The invention is particularly relevant to the detection of the existence and the number of wheels of a moving railway vehicle as well as its direction of movement, by detecting and analysing the vibrations created by the wheels of the vehicle moving on the track and also by monitoring the changes that the same wheels create on the magnetic field lines created by the magnet and, if any, by the natural magnetic field lines according to the direction of the railway vehicle as they pass through this detection point.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

Rail systems around the world are gaining importance day by day because they are fast, economical, environmentally-friendly, safe and modern transportation systems. One of the most important features of rail systems is that they are a designed to be highest safety level public mass transportation means. The continuation of this feature can undoubtedly be achieved through further R&D studies carried out on these systems. Among these studies, it is important to determine the presence of the wheels of railway vehicles and where the railway vehicle is on the rail line.

A mismatch in the number of counted wheels of a moving railway vehicle stock in rail transport systems are mostly due to the fact that; EITHER derailments because of; the erosion on the wheel flanges of the railway vehicle and loss of their normal shape or the excessive forces that are applied to the external track due to centrifugal forces in the bends or the trains speeding faster than the speed limits given or both rails not being at the same height level or expansions of rails caused by extreme climate change on tracks, OR with some other reason one or more of the wagons left rolling stock and remained behind and on the line.

The inability to determine the location of the railway vehicle in rail transportation systems leads to mutual collisions of railway vehicles, violations of mainline crossing safety criteria in turnouts, variability of crossing times at level crossings and naturally accidents on level crossings.

In the current technique, the railway lines are divided into regions of a certain length and track circuits are used to detect the presence of trains within these areas. The rail zone, which is about 1 Km long, is electrically controlled by a track circuit. The train entering this zone is detected by the track circuit connected to the track and this information is transmitted to the signalling system to which the line is connected.

Again, in the current technique, the control of the wheels of the railway vehicle is carried out by the people assigned to this subject while the railway vehicle is stationary. The fact that wheel detection cannot be carried out by this method in cases where the railway vehicle is on the move proves that this process is very impractical. The failure to detect the number of wheels while the railway vehicle is on the move can cause to huge railway accidents and the loss of many lives because of this matter.

One method used in the current technique is to monitor railway vehicle wheels and attempting to detect wheel loss with the help of an electronic camera and a computer connected to them. In these systems, special cameras and sensors that can be installed at the bottom of any railway vehicle to see the vehicle wheels are placed and wheel losses are attempted to be observed. However, the image quality of the camera imaging technique decreases according to the outdoor conditions, preventing this method from being preferred.

As a result of preliminary research on the current technique, the US6371417B1 patent file has been reviewed. In this method, an axle counter that works with two magnetic receivers/transmitters mounted on the same side of the rail and side-mounted on the rail is mentioned. While one of these two receivers/transmitters positioned at a certain distance from each other produces a magnetic field at a certain frequency, the other measures the eddy currents created by this magnetic field on the rail, and if the train wheel enters the rail segment between these two receivers/transmitters, the change it creates on the eddy current is measured and the presence of the wheel is registered. During measurements, the reliability of the system is improved by first switching each receiver/transmitter to the receiver and then the transmitter position. In the invention, which is the subject of this patent as explained below; the presence of the wheel is detected through the mechanical vibrations caused by the moving train wheels on the rails, and this data is complemented by data obtained from the changes in the magnetic field strength, created both by a permanent magnet placed perpendicular to the ground on one side surface of the rail and also the constant and fixed magnetic field lines created by the earth's magnetic dipole, while the wheel is passing through this sensing point on rail, detected by a magnetic field sensor placed on the other side surface of the same rail. In summary, while this US patent works with the principle of measuring eddy currents formed between two magnetic receiver/transmitter placed on the same side surface of the rail, in the technique that is the subject of this patent and explained in the detailed explanation section, the magnetic field created on one side of the rail is monitored by the magnetic field intensity detector on the other side and in the meantime, the change in the magnetic field intensity created by the passing wheel on this magnetic field is detected and monitored for the purpose of detecting the passing wheel. In addition, by defining the vibrations created by the moving wheel, it is perceived that the passing metal object is a train wheel and the speed and direction of the train can also be determined. By combining these two pieces of information, it is possible to create an error-free train wheel detection system.

The US2007001059A1 patent file, which was determined as a result of a preliminary investigation of the current technique, was examined. In this method, the magnetic field, created by a magnetic field source (magnet, etc.) placed on one side of the rail is monitored by the hall effect magnetic field sensors placed on both sides of this magnetic field source, on the same side of the rail, the variations on the measured magnetic field strength while a railway vehicle wheel is passing over this section, between these two sensors, reveals the presence and the number of wheels. In the patent, which is the subject of the invention and the details of which are explained below, the magnet that produces the magnetic field is placed on the opposite side of the rail where the magnetic sensor is connected, and in this way, both the magnetic field generated by the magnet, placed on opposite side of the rail and the magnetic field lines due to the earth's constant magnetic dipole are monitored constantly for the detection of sudden variations on the magnetic field intensity, created by the railway vehicle wheel passing over the rail, by this magnetic sensor for the detection of presence of the wheel and the direction of the train movement.

Many studies on the wheel count and the position of the railway vehicle used in the current technique do not yield reliable results when there are two railway vehicles coming opposite each other on the same rail. There may be errors due to the data interference and these systems are not preferred. On the contrary, the invention subject to this patent reveals information about the number of wheels passed and the direction of movement of these wheels.

As a result, the need for a multifunctional wheel detection method that is much safer and has various advantages compared to its counterparts in order to eliminate the disadvantages described above, and the inadequacy of existing solutions necessitated a new development in the relevant technical field.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to detect each wheel of the railway vehicle in motion on the railway using two separate but complementary methods together, as well as to determine the position of the railway vehicle.

One purpose of the invention is to detect the vibrations created by the wheels of the train moving on the rails by a vibration sensor and the change in the magnetic field strength by a magnetic field intensity sensor connected to the rail body and to reveal the misleading data and if any, that may occur during the counting of missing wheels from this data set, correcting the detection of the count of wheels missing.

The aim of the invention is to detect the existence of a possible detection problem by monitoring and verifying many point analysis results, obtained from more than one measurement points, of the mechanical vibrations created by the wheels of the railway vehicle on the rail while the railway vehicle is in motion and also the magnetic field sudden intensity variations when the wheel passing through the magnetic detection sensor, with each other. In addition, it is a system that can make continuous measurements by using only vibrations on the rail and magnets placed on the detection points on the rail, not effected by many environmental conditions or instantaneous vibrations and also taking into account the natural magnetic field lines of the earth's dipole according to the direction of the railway vehicle. Thus, it can both ensure the safety of the railway vehicle and prevent major railway accidents that may occur by determining the location and direction of movement of the railway vehicle.

Another purpose of the invention is that it can continuously measure and is a self-controlling system that processes data obtained from both vibration data and changes in magnetic field intensity by comparing this data. This way, it is easy to detect wheel number mismatches along a line and the position and direction of the railway vehicle easily, anytime and quickly. The continuous collection and evaluation of this information is a very important difference to the other methods. As a result, a larger disaster is averted by the instant detection of wheel number mismatches and railway vehicle location, the railway vehicle is stopped, and the loss of life and property is prevented.

Another purpose of the invention is that it does not evaluate detected signals that are not continuous and relevant. In other words, the system constantly collects and processes data and compares.

Another aim of the invention is to provide convenience in terms of cost, reliability and usage compared to sensitive sensors, high resolution and fast shooting cameras and similar systems, and to eliminate the disadvantages in these systems with its simple structure.

Another aim of the invention is that, because of the dual detection mechanism of the system used, it can instantly detect the lack of wheels in the railway vehicles moving on all lines, especially the high-speed railway vehicles, and the information about the position and direction of the railway vehicle and make the necessary warnings to the train and the signal system of the line. The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all its advantages will be understood more clearly in connection with the figures given below and the detailed description written with reference to these figures. For this reason, the evaluation should be made by taking these figures and detailed explanation into consideration.

FIGURES THAT WILL HELP UNDERSTANDING THE INVENTION

FIGURE -1; The subject of invention is the drawing showing the rail body and sensing modules on the line in the wheel counting and train detection method.

FIGURE -2; The subject of invention is the drawing showing the rail body wheel and detection module in the wheel counting and train detection method.

FIGURE -3; The subject of the invention is the drawing showing the sensing module on the rail body and the natural magnetic field lines that come naturally in the wheel counting and train detection method.

FIGURE -4; The subject of the invention is the drawing showing the detection module on the rail body, the magnet and the magnetic field lines created with the help of the magnet in the wheel counting and train detection method.

FIGURE -5; The invention is a drawing of the wheel counting and train detection method, showing the sensing module on the rail body, the wheel and how the natural magnetic field lines that come naturally are cut by the wheel.

FIGURE -6; The subject of the invention is the drawing showing how the sensing module on the rail body, the wheel, the magnet and the magnetic field lines created with the help of the magnet are cut by the wheel in the wheel counting and train sensing method.

FIGURE -7; The subject of the invention is the drawing showing the positioning position of the magnet on the rail body in the wheel counting and train detection method.

FIGURE -8; The subject of invention is the drawing showing the detection module in the wheel counting and train detection method. REFERENCE NUMBERS

100. Rail Body

200. Sensing Module

210. Vibration Sensor

220. Magnetic Field Intensity Sensor

230. Microprocessor and Communication Unit

300. Wheel

400. Natural Magnetic Field Lines 500. Magnet

600. Magnet Magnetic Field Lines

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The method that is the subject of the invention combines two methods that can be used together and complementary to each other so that they can give precise results.

In the method of the invention shown in Figure-1 and Figure-2, firstly, each wheel (300) of the vehicle moving on the railway is detected by the vibration sensor (210) while it passes over the detection point, and after this detection point it is detected by the vibration sensor (210) at the next detection point with the same method, then it relates to a railway wheel (300) counter and train sensing system technique that works according to the principle of determining the number of wheels (300) entering and exiting the region between these two detection points to be the same. In addition, the direction of the train can be determined by looking at the vector angles of these received vibration waves. In the method of invention, during the passing of each wheel (300) of the moving vehicle on the railway through the detection point, as shown in Figure-4, the magnetic field intensity sensor (220) in the sensing module (200) detects magnet magnetic field lines (600) generated by a magnet (500) attached to the opposite of the rail body (100) and positioned perpendicular to the rail foot. Figure-6 shows that when the metal wheels (300) of the moving vehicle pass through the detection point on the rail, the wheel (300) causes the intensity of its magnetic field to decrease. The sudden amplitude change in signals detected by the magnetic field intensity sensor (220) means that a wheel (300) is detected by the sensing module (200) passing through the detection point.

Analysis Result-2 The sensing module (200) shown in Figure-8 is connected to the rail body (100) in direct contact with the rail web or rail foot. This sensing module (200) has a vibration sensor (210) and a magnetic field intensity sensor (220). The vibration sensor (210) of the sensing module (200) continues to detect vibration signals directly applied by the wheels of the approaching railway vehicle to the rail body (100) as shown in Analysis result-1, while at the same time allowing this signal to be translated into the frequency domain by FFT (Fast Fourier Transformation). Again, the vibration sensor (210) confirms that the detected vibration signal comes from a railway vehicle by comparing it to the previously determined reference value as shown in Analysis result-2. During this time, the position and presence of the approaching railway vehicle is confirmed by evaluating the amount of change in the signal amplitude, confirming that the vehicle wheel (300) has reached the point where the sensing module (200) is connected to the rail body (100), and the number of wheel (300) passed is measured by monitoring and counting the peaks of signal amplitude the generated during the passage of each wheel (300) through the sensing module (200). At the same time, the magnetic field in the sensing module (200) continuously detects magnet magnetic field lines (600) generated by the magnet (500) on both axes (x, y), which are attached to the opposite side of the rail body (100) and positioned perpendicular to the rail foot, as in Figure-7. This magnetic field intensity sensor (220) continuously measures both the constant and natural magnetic field lines (400) of earth as shown in Figure-3 and Figure-5 on two axes and the magnet magnetic field lines (600) shown in Figure-4 and Figure-6 generated by the magnet (500) attached to the rail body (100) on the opposite side of the rail body (100). This means that the amplitude change in signals detected by the magnetic field intensity sensor (220) during each of the reduction of the intensity of the magnet magnetic field lines (600) and natural magnetic field lines (400) due to the metal wheels (300) of the moving vehicle and shown in Analysis-3 means that a wheel (300) passes through the detection point covered by the sensing module (200). This information detected by the sensing module (200) is simultaneously detected by the microprocessor and communication unit (230) and combined with the vibration information of the wheel (300) evaluated as mentioned above to determine that a train wheel (300) has passed through this point and then safely evaluates this signal and compares the number of wheels (300) in and out of the zone between the two sensor points to the signal equipment. ti t2 Zaman (t)

Analysis Result-3

At the same time, in this invention, the change in magnet magnetic field lines (600) and natural magnetic field lines (400) if any, is monitored on two axes, the axial direction of the change is determined and thus the direction of movement of the wheel (300) can be determined. The perceived magnetic field intensity vector on the two axes is shown in the change graphs in Analysis Result-4 and Analysis Result-5. While the signal difference created by the railway vehicle wheel (300) is detected on one axis, the direction of the change (decreasing or increasing)) in the other axis indicates the direction of movement of the vehicle. Analysis Result-4 shows that the wheel (300) passes through a certain direction (e.g. left to right) and this is represented as a decreasing change in one of the two axes of the magnetic field intensity vector, which is perpendicular to the magnet magnetic field lines (600) and natural magnetic field lines (400), if any, and on the rail body's horizontal surface. In the Analysis Result-5, the increasing change in one of the two axes of the magnetic field intensity vector, which is perpendicular to the magnet magnetic field lines (600) and natural magnetic field lines (400), if any, and on the rail body's horizontal surface, indicates that the wheel (300) passes through that point in the reverse direction (e.g. right to left). This way, the direction of the movement of train can be determined with the direction of variation of the detected natural magnetic field lines (400) and magnet magnetic field lines (600), as shown in Analysis Result-4 and 5. Gauss ti fa Zaman (t)

Analysis Result -4

Gauss {G) A ti t ₂ Zaman (t)

Analysis Result-5 In the invention, it is determined that the vehicle is a railway vehicle from the characteristic vibration waves created by the approaching vehicle on the track and the direction and speed of the approaching vehicle can be determined by observing the vector change of these vibrations on three axes. This invention can accurately determine the presence, movement direction and speed of the railway vehicle passing through that point as well as the number of wheels passed by monitoring the axial signal directions and levels of the vibration sensor (210) and magnetic field intensity sensor (220).

This way, the detection of vibrations created by the wheels (300), which determines the movement of a railway vehicle on the track, using the data set that is obtained after the analysis of these perceived signals, and by monitoring the changes in the magnet magnetic field lines (600) generated by the magnet (500) and, if any, earth's natural magnetic field lines (400) relative to the direction of the railway vehicle as the same wheels (300) pass through this detection point and by using these two information, it is a method that reduces the likelihood of error, which can determine the number of wheels (BOO) of the vehicle and its direction. If this whole process is carried out by two sensing modules (200) separately in two rail bodies (100) at the same detection point on the same line and the information obtained from the two sensing modules (200), one on each rail, is combined, an extremely safe axle counter and train direction determination technique is achieved.