Lista wynalazków

Weighing rolling stock on the move using optical fibers

autorzy: Vladimír Vašinek, Václav Jakeš, Marek Ciosk, Miroslav Czernek, Igor Čmiel

Thanks to the resistance of optical fiber sensors to electromagnetic fields, a unique universal system for monitoring rail transport train sets has been developed, using an optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) for detection. It is a type of sensor that evaluates the physical extension of the grating period of the FBG, which changes the wave spectrum of the reflected signal. Sensors using this principle are widely used in the world, for example, in the construction industry for monitoring reinforced concrete constructions of tunnels, bridges, etc. There are several well-known solutions in the world with FBG sensors for detecting train sets for speed measurement, axle counting or weight estimation. These known solutions are predominantly solved by gluing or welding FBG deformation sensors to the rail body. The presented unique solution does not use the rail itself, but senses wheel flange of the railway wheel on a separate supporting part of the sensor body with an optical fiber grid. The main idea is primarily aimed at repeatability of production, quick assembly and disassembly of the sensor, accuracy and speed of measurement, repeatability of use, defined signal output for sensor users, ease of use, universality of the system across different types of rails, track gauge widths, etc.