[0001] The present invention relates to a device for determining the conditions, i.e. the
present state and its future evolution, of at least a component of a railway vehicle.
[0002] Specifically, the invention relates to a device for monitoring parameters concerning
the conditions of at least one component of a railway vehicle, for the purposes of
planning preventive maintenance interventions on the railway vehicle itself.
[0003] On the basis of the values of the parameters detected by this device, it is, therefore,
possible to estimate, at predetermined times, the conditions of the monitored component
and then establish when to carry out the next maintenance intervention or replacement
of the piece to avoid breakages or malfunctions of the component, making the most
of the useful operating life of the latter.
[0004] The present invention also relates to a railway vehicle which comprises at least
one device of the type indicated above.
[0005] Currently, ordinary maintenance interventions (i.e. maintenance not deriving from
breakages) on railway vehicles are normally carried out at preestablished time intervals,
regardless of the actual conditions of the related components and equipment.
[0006] This inevitably entails the risk of carrying out maintenance or replacement of parts
when not yet necessary, i.e. during the relative useful life period.
[0007] In these cases, there is, therefore, the risk of using unnecessary resources to maintain
or replace components that are still functioning regularly.
[0008] In light of the above, it is, therefore an object of the present invention to provide
a device for effectively determining the conditions of at least one component of a
railway vehicle.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for monitoring, continuously
or at predetermined times, one or more parameters inherent to the conditions of at
least one component of a railway vehicle.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for determining
the conditions of at least one component of a railway vehicle, which device can be
installed in the railway vehicle in a simple and fast way.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for determining the conditions
of at least one component of a railway vehicle, which device is particularly compact
or has very small overall dimensions.
[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a device for determining the conditions
of at least one component of a railway vehicle, which device does not interfere with
the operation of the other components of the railway vehicle.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an economical device for determining
the condition of at least one component of a railway vehicle.
[0014] It is, therefore, specific object of the present invention a device for determining
the conditions of at least one component of a railway vehicle having at least one
wheel, said device comprising: a measuring device for measuring, in use, at least
one acceleration of at least one element of said railway vehicle; a detection device
for determining, in use, at least one distance travelled by said railway vehicle and/or
at least one speed taken on by said railway vehicle; energy conversion means for converting
the kinetic energy generated by the rotation of said wheel into electrical energy;
connection means for connecting, in use, said energy conversion means directly or
indirectly to said wheel; and electrical connection means for electrically connecting
said energy conversion means to said measuring device and to said detection device
so that when said wheel turns on itself, said measuring device and said detection
device are electrically powered via said energy conversion means, thereby enabling
the determination of the present and future conditions of at least one component of
said railway vehicle on the basis of said at least one acceleration measured by said
measuring device and/or on the basis of said at least one distance and/or said at
least one speed determined by said detection device.
[0015] Preferably according to the invention, said device comprises at least one rechargeable
battery electrically connected to said energy conversion means for storing the electrical
energy generated by said energy conversion means in said at least one rechargeable
battery; said at least one rechargeable battery being electrically connected also
to said measuring device and said detection device in such a way that said measuring
device and said detection device are electrically powered, in use, by said at least
one rechargeable battery.
[0016] Advantageously according to the invention, said energy conversion means may comprise
a dynamo comprising a stator and a rotor connected to said connection means.
[0017] Further according to the invention, said device may comprise at least one connection
element for connecting, in use, said stator to a fixed part of said railway vehicle.
[0018] Still according to the invention, said at least one connection element may comprise
a container for containing said dynamo.
[0019] Conveniently according to the invention, said container may comprise a main body
in which said dynamo is arranged, and a cover element which is able to be coupled
to said main body; an inner cavity in which said measuring device is housed being
defined in said cover element.
[0020] Further according to the invention, said device comprises a control unit for managing
the operation of said measuring device and said detection device; said control unit
being electrically connected to said energy conversion means and operatively connected
to said measuring device and said detection device.
[0021] Preferably according to the invention, said device may comprise at least one gyroscope
and a device for measuring at least one inclination of at least one element of said
railway vehicle; said control unit being operatively connected to said gyroscope and
said device for measuring at least one inclination of said at least one element.
[0022] Preferably according to the invention, said device may comprise a GPS device for
detecting and transmitting data inherent to the position of said railway vehicle;
said GPS device being electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to said energy
conversion means (11, 110).
[0023] Conveniently according to the invention, may comprise at least one transmitting device
for transmitting, in use, data from said device to an external data processor.
[0024] Preferably according to the invention, said at least one transmitting device may
comprise at least one LTE antenna and/or a WI-FI transceiver and/or a Bluetooth antenna.
[0025] It is also object of the present invention a railway vehicle comprising at least
one wheel and at least one device according to any one of the preceding claims, connected,
directly or indirectly, to said at least one wheel.
[0026] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative
purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the
figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:
figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, for determining the conditions of at least one component of a railway
vehicle;
figure 2 is an exploded view of the device shown in figure 1;
figure 3 is a sectional view of the assembled device shown in figures 1 and 2;
figure 4 is a perspective view of the lower part of a railway vehicle in which the
device shown in figures 1-3 is mounted;
figure 5 is a sectional view of a detail of figure 4;
figure 6 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the
present invention, for determining the conditions of at least one component of a railway
vehicle;
figure 7 is an exploded view of the device shown in figure 6;
figure 8 is a sectional view of the assembled device illustrated in figures 6 and
7;
figure 9 is a perspective view of the lower part of a railway vehicle in which the
device shown in figures 6-8 is mounted; and
figure 10 is a sectional view of a detail of figure 9.
[0027] In the various figures the similar parts will be indicated with the same numerical
references.
[0028] With reference to figures 1-3, 1 indicates as a whole a first device for determining
the conditions of at least one component of a railway vehicle.
[0029] This first device 1 comprises a casing 2, substantially having the shape of a bell
or of another shape, having a lateral wall 3 with a circular development, which defines
a through opening in the axial direction.
[0030] The casing 2 can be fixed, preferably by means of removable connection means, to
the bushing 4 or in any case to a fixed part of a railway vehicle in correspondence
with a wheel 5 of a wheelset 6.
[0031] As known, in railway engineering it is defined "axle", or rather "wheelset", the
assembly formed by two wheels of a railway vehicle and the relative axis, on which
they are mounted.
[0032] The term "bushing", on the other hand, refers to the cast-iron or steel box that
contains the bearing, in which the pin at the end of the wheelsets turns.
[0033] On the open side of the casing 2, opposite to the side of it connected to the bushing
4, there is a cover 7 or a removable, internally hollow plug.
[0034] Specifically, this cover 7 is formed by a base 8 and a cap 9, which can be coupled
to the base 8, in such a way as to jointly define an internal cavity 10.
[0035] The first device 1 also includes a dynamo 11 composed of a rotor 12 and a stator
13, which is a fixed electromagnet, arranged externally to said rotor 12.
[0036] The rotor 12 of the dynamo 11 can be coaxially fixed to the aforementioned wheel
5 or to the relative axis 14 by means of a flange 15.
[0037] The stator 13 is instead rigidly connected to the internal part of the side wall
3 of the casing 2.
[0038] On the part of the rotor 12 opposite the flange 15, a driver 16 is mounted, configured
to transmit the rotary motion to a mechanical rotary encoder 17 mounted in the base
8 of the cover 7.
[0039] Specifically, this encoder rotor 17 allows the acquisition of data relating to the
speeds assumed and the distances traveled by the railway vehicle based on the rotation
imparted to it by the axis 14.
[0040] The rotor 12 and the stator 13 of the dynamo 11, as well as the driver 16, are housed
inside the casing 2.
[0041] The internal cavity 10 of the cover 7 houses one or more rechargeable batteries 18,
electrically connected to the rotor 12 by means of a series of electrical conductors
(not shown), so that during the rotation of the rotor 12 the electrical energy generated
by the dynamo 11 is accumulated in the rechargeable batteries 18.
[0042] In the internal cavity 10 of the cover 7 there are also, in addition to the rotary
encoder 17, an accelerometer 19, for detecting the vibrations and/or displacements
of the axis 14 of the wheelset 6, an inclinometer, a gyroscope, and an acquisition
board 20 operatively connected to the accelerometer 19, to the rotary encoder 17,
and to a control board 21 housed, also itself, in the internal cavity 10 of the cover
7, and configured to receive and process the data or the signals acquired by the acquisition
board 20.
[0043] Both the inclinometer and the gyroscope are not operatively connected to the control
board 21.
[0044] The aforementioned accelerometer 19 can be used, in addition to measuring accelerations,
also to detect changes in the orientation and the speed in which said orientation
changes take place.
[0045] On the external part of the cap 9 there is an external device 22 incorporating a
GPS antenna to detect the position of the railway vehicle, and at least one antenna
(for example an LTE antenna) to wirelessly transmit data to a remote server.
[0046] The aforementioned GPS antenna is also operatively connected to the control board
21, so that the latter can also acquire the data relating to the position of the railway
vehicle.
[0047] The LTE antenna is also operatively connected to the control board 21, in order to
be able to transmit the data recorded by the latter to the remote server.
[0048] According to some variants of the present invention, alternatively or in addition
to the LTE antenna, at least one WI-FI transceiver 23 (i.e., a device configured to
transmit and receive data via radio waves) and/or a Bluetooth antenna 24 can be provided
in the internal cavity 10 of the cover 7, to allow data transmission to the remote
server when the railway vehicle is stationary near a railway station.
[0049] According to a variant of the present invention, the WI-FI transceiver 23 can be
incorporated, entirely or in part (i.e. some components thereof), in the external
device 22 and operatively connected to the control board 21.
[0050] The rotary encoder 17, the accelerometer 19, the acquisition board 20, the control
board 21, the WI-FI transceiver 23, the Bluetooth antenna 24 and the aforementioned
GPS antenna, and LTE antenna are electrically connected, by means of electrical connections
(not shown for ease of representation), to the rechargeable batteries 18 for the relative
power supply.
[0051] According to a variant of the present invention, the rechargeable batteries 18 can
be omitted; in this case, the rotary encoder 17, the accelerometer 19, the acquisition
board 20, the control board 21, the WI-FI transceiver 23, the Bluetooth antenna 24,
and the aforementioned GPS and LTE antennas are electrically connected directly to
the rotor 12 of the dynamo 11 for the relative electrical power supply.
[0052] However, the solution which provides for the use of rechargeable batteries 18 is
preferable to that without batteries, since it allows the electrical supply of the
aforementioned functional components even when the railway vehicle is stationary.
[0053] In fact, when the railway vehicle is in motion, the electrical energy produced by
the dynamo 11 is stored in the rechargeable batteries 18 and can be used by means
of the latter at any time when it is needed.
[0054] Thanks to the measurements made directly by the rotary encoder 17, by the accelerometer
19, by the inclinometer, by the gyroscope, and by the GPS antenna and possibly also
thanks to the processing of the detected data, through specific calculation algorithms,
it is possible to determine in a direct or indirect way, the present and future conditions
of one or more components of the railway vehicle.
[0055] In accordance with the present invention, if it is intended, for example, to keep
the conditions of a wheel of the railway vehicle under control, these conditions can
be estimated on the basis of the distances traveled and the speeds assumed by the
railway vehicle, detected by means of the rotary encoder 17, possibly also detecting
some characteristic parameters of the railway vehicle, such as the ease and conicity
of the wheel.
[0056] Specifically, the term "ease" means the transverse and longitudinal play of the wheelset
6 with respect to the first device 1.
[0057] In this case, for example, the ease can be indirectly determined, through a specific
calculation algorithm, on the basis of accelerations detected by the accelerometer
19, as well as the equivalent conicity can also be determined by means of gyroscope
measurements.
[0058] In accordance with the present invention, for example, it is possible to determine
the degree of wear of the wheel 5 through the detection and subsequent processing
of the data recorded by the rotary encoder 17 and by the accelerometer 19 in relation
to the distances traveled and/or the speeds assumed by the railway vehicle, and to
the accelerations due to the vibrations of the wheel 5, together with the detection
of one of the possible causes of this anomaly relating to slipping phenomena of the
wheel itself.
[0059] Using the values detected by the rotary encoder 17 and/or by the accelerometer 19
and/or by the GPS antenna, it is possible to determine, with a certain margin of approximation,
the conditions of other components of the railway vehicle, such as for example the
braking system and the leaf spring system.
[0060] It is in fact possible, for example, to establish whether there are anomalies in
the braking system on the basis of the accelerations detected by the accelerometer
19 during the braking phase of the railway vehicle.
[0061] By means of the values detected by the accelerometer 19 it is possible, for example,
to detect anomalous conditions of a flat wheel, together with the detection of the
causes of this anomaly relating to phenomena of wheel skidding and anomalous interaction
phenomena between wheel and the rail.
[0062] In order to determine the conditions of the monitored railway vehicle components
with greater accuracy and precision, it is possible to mount on the same railway vehicle
two or more first devices 1 of the type described above, in which each first device
1 is associated with a wheel of the railway vehicle.
[0063] To this end, it is preferable to provide two first devices 1 mounted, respectively,
at the two wheels of a wheelset, and even more preferable to provide at least four
first devices 1 associated, each, to a wheel of the railway vehicle with one of these
equipped with the function of centralizer of the data collected, and processor of
the present and future conditions of at least one component of the rolling stock.
[0064] In case of installation of two or more first devices 1 on board of the same railway
vehicle, it is also possible that these first devices 1 can communicate (i.e. transmit
data) between them by means of the respective WI-FI transceiver 23, and/or antenna
Bluetooth 24, and/or LTE antenna.
[0065] Referring now to figures 6-8, 100 indicates as a whole a second device for determining
the conditions of at least one component of a railway vehicle.
[0066] The second device 100 also comprises a casing 102, substantially in the shape of
a more or less high bell or of another shape, having a circular side wall 103, which
defines a through an opening in the axial direction.
[0067] The casing 102 can be fixed, preferably by means of removable connection means, to
the bushing 104 or in any case to a fixed part of a railway vehicle in correspondence
with a wheel 105 of a wheelset.
[0068] On the open side of the casing 102 opposite to the side thereof connected to the
bushing 104, there is a cover 106 or a removable, internally hollow plug.
[0069] Specifically, this cover 106 is formed by a base 107 and a cap 108, which can be
coupled to the base 107 in such a way as to jointly define an internal cavity 109.
[0070] The second device 100 also includes a dynamo 110 arranged inside the casing 102.
[0071] The dynamo 110 is formed by a rotor 111, axially connected to the axis 112 of the
wheel 105 by means of a flange 113, so as to rotate with said axis 112, and a stator
114 or a fixed electromagnet, rigidly connected to the internal part of the side wall
103 of the casing 102.
[0072] The second device 100 also comprises a mechanical rotary encoder 115 axially connected
to the rotor 111.
[0073] This rotary encoder 115 allows acquiring data relating to the speeds assumed and
the distances traveled by the railway vehicle based on the rotation imparted to the
same rotary encoder 115 by the axis 112.
[0074] One or more rechargeable batteries 116 are housed in the internal cavity 109 of the
cover 106, electrically connected to the rotor 111 by means of a series of electrical
conductors (not shown), so that during the rotation of the rotor 111 the electrical
energy generated by the dynamo 110 is accumulated in the rechargeable batteries 116.
[0075] The stator 114 is connected to a heat sink 117 to dissipate, in fact, the heat that
is generated during the operation of the dynamo 110.
[0076] More in detail, the dissipator 117 has an overall ring shape and contains inside
the stator 114 of the dynamo 110.
[0077] In the internal cavity 109 of the cover 106 there are also an accelerometer 118 to
detect the vibrations and/or movements of the axis 112 of the wheelset, an inclinometer,
a gyroscope, and an acquisition card 119 operatively connected to the accelerometer
118, to the rotary encoder 115, and to a control card control 120, also housed in
the internal cavity 109 of the cover 106, and configured to receive and process the
data or the signals acquired by the acquisition card 119.
[0078] Both the inclinometer and the gyroscope are operationally connected to the control
card 120.
[0079] The accelerometer 118 can be used not only for measuring accelerations, but also
for detecting changes in orientation.
[0080] A device 121 incorporating a GPS antenna to detect the position of the railway vehicle
and at least one antenna (for example an LTE antenna) to transmit data wirelessly
to a remote server are provided on the external part of the canopy 108.
[0081] The aforementioned GPS antenna is also operatively connected to the control card
120 so that the latter can also acquire the data relating to the position of the railway
vehicle.
[0082] The LTE antenna is also operatively connected to the control board 120, in order
to be able to transmit the data recorded by the latter to the remote server.
[0083] According to some variants of the present invention, alternatively or in addition
to the LTE antenna, at least one WI-FI transceiver 122 (i.e., a device configured
to transmit and receive data via radio waves) and/or a Bluetooth antenna 123 can be
provided in the internal cavity 109 of the cover 106.
[0084] The rotary encoder 115, the accelerometer 118, the acquisition card 119, the control
card 120, the WI-FI transceiver 122, the Bluetooth antenna 123 and the aforementioned
GPS antenna and LTE antenna are electrically connected, by means of electrical connections
(not shown for ease of representation), to the rechargeable batteries 116 for the
relative electrical power supply.
[0085] According to a variant of the present invention, the rechargeable batteries 116 can
be omitted; in this case, the rotary encoder 115, the accelerometer 118, the acquisition
card 119, the control card 120, the WI-FItransceiver 122, the Bluetooth antenna 123
and the aforementioned GPS and LTE antennas are electrically connected directly to
the rotor 111 of the dynamo 110 for its electrical power supply.
[0086] However, the solution that provides for the use of rechargeable batteries 116 is
preferable to that without batteries, since it allows the electrical supply of the
aforementioned operating components even when the railway vehicle is stationary.
[0087] The determination of the conditions of one or more components of the railway vehicle
by means of the second device 100 takes place in the same way as described above in
relation to the first device 1.
[0088] To determine with greater accuracy and precision the conditions of the components
of the railway vehicle monitored, also, in this case, it is possible to mount on the
same railway vehicle two or more second devices 100 of the type just described, in
which each second device 100 is associated with a wheel of the railway vehicle.
[0089] To this end, it is preferable to provide two second devices 100 mounted, respectively,
at the two wheels of a wheelset, and it is even more preferable to provide at least
four second devices 100 associated, each, to a wheel of the railway vehicle, with
one of these equipped with the function of centralizing the data collected and processing
the present and future conditions of at least one component of the rolling stock.
[0090] In case of installation of two or more second devices 100 on board the same railway
vehicle, it is also possible that these second devices 100 can communicate (i.e.,
transmit data) with each other through the respective WI-FI transceiver 122, and/or
Bluetooth 123 antenna, and/or LTE antenna.
[0091] As can be clearly seen from the foregoing description, both the first device 1 and
the second device 100 according to the present invention have the advantage of having
an autonomous operation that does not require external energy sources.
[0092] The devices 1, 100 are also particularly efficient in determining the conditions
of one or more components of the railway vehicle, on which they are mounted, thanks
to the possibility of detecting and processing, through said devices, different operating
parameters of the railway vehicle itself, both directly and indirectly, both in relation
to the current state of the component and its future state by implementing the prediction
of anomalous states of the component.
[0093] This allows, in particular, planning in the best way the preventive and predictive
maintenance interventions on the railway vehicle, providing for their execution before
the breaking events can occur and making the most of the useful operational life of
the components of the railway vehicle itself, and optimizing the management of supplies
and stocks and components subject to maintenance.
[0094] Moreover, due to the compact structure of the first 1 and the second device 100,
their installation on board the railway vehicles does not significantly impact the
performance of the latter in terms of aerodynamics, nor on the space restrictions
imposed by the railway regulations relating to the limit shape.
[0095] In addition to this, it can be observed that the aforesaid two devices 1, 100 are
configured in such a way as to allow a simple and quick installation thereof.
[0096] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes,
according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications
and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from
the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.
1. Device (1, 100) for determining the conditions of at least one component of a railway
vehicle having at least one wheel (5, 105), said device (1, 100) comprising:
- a measuring device (19, 118) for measuring, in use, at least one acceleration of
at least one element of said railway vehicle;
- a detection device (16, 115) for determining, in use, at least one distance travelled
by said railway vehicle and/or at least one speed taken on by said railway vehicle;
- energy conversion means (11, 110) for converting the kinetic energy generated by
the rotation of said wheel (5, 105) into electrical energy;
- connection means (15, 113) for connecting, in use, said energy conversion means
(11, 110) directly or indirectly to said wheel (5, 105); and
- electrical connection means for electrically connecting said energy conversion means
(11, 110) to said measuring device (19, 118) and to said detection device (16, 115)
so that when said wheel (5, 105) turns on itself, said measuring device (19, 118)
and said detection device (16, 115) are electrically powered via said energy conversion
means (11, 110), thereby enabling the determination of the present and future conditions
of at least one component of said railway vehicle on the basis of said at least one
acceleration measured by said measuring device (19, 118) and/or on the basis of said
at least one distance and/or said at least one speed determined by said detection
device (16, 115).
2. Device (1, 100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one rechargeable battery (18, 116) electrically connected to
said energy conversion means (11, 110) for storing the electrical energy generated
by said energy conversion means (11, 110) in said at least one rechargeable battery
(18, 116); said at least one rechargeable battery (18, 116) being electrically connected
also to said measuring device (19, 118) and said detection device (16, 115) in such
a way that said measuring device (19, 118) and said detection device (16, 115) are
electrically powered, in use, by said at least one rechargeable battery (18, 116).
3. Device (1, 100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said energy conversion means comprise a dynamo (11, 110) comprising a stator (13,
114) and a rotor (12, 111) connected to said connection means (15, 113).
4. Device (1, 100) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one connection element (2, 7; 102, 106) for connecting, in
use, said stator (13, 114) to a fixed part of said railway vehicle.
5. Device (1, 100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one connection element comprises a container (2, 7; 102, 106) for containing
said dynamo (11, 110).
6. Device (1, 100) according to claim 5, characterized in that said container comprises a main body (2, 102) in which said dynamo (11, 110) is arranged,
and a cover element (7, 106) which is able to be coupled to said main body (2, 102);
an inner cavity (10, 109) in which said measuring device (19, 118) is housed being
defined in said cover element (7, 106).
7. Device (1, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (21, 120) for managing the operation of said measuring
device (19, 118) and said detection device (16, 115); said control unit (21, 120)
being electrically connected to said energy conversion means (11, 110) and operatively
connected to said measuring device (19, 118) and said detection device (16, 115).
8. Device (1, 100) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one gyroscope and a device for measuring at least one inclination
of at least one element of said railway vehicle; said control unit (21, 120) being
operatively connected to said gyroscope and said device for measuring at least one
inclination of said at least one element.
9. Device (1, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a GPS device for detecting and transmitting data inherent to the position
of said railway vehicle; said GPS device being electrically connected, directly or
indirectly, to said energy conversion means (11, 110).
10. Device (1, 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one transmitting device for transmitting, in use, data from
said device (1, 100) to an external data processor.
11. Device (1, 100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one transmitting device comprises at least one LTE antenna and/or a
WI-FI transceiver (23, 122) and/or a Bluetooth antenna (24, 123).
12. Railway vehicle comprising at least one wheel (5, 105) and at least one device (1,
100) according to any one of the preceding claims, connected, directly or indirectly,
to said at least one wheel (5, 105).