Abstract

A network of monitoring devices for monitoring the condition of the surface of railway track rails is described. A monitoring device includes a spectrometer configured to monitor at least one frequency that indicates the presence of a contaminant on a railway track rail and to provide an output indicative of the presence or absence of the contaminant on a railway track rail. The monitoring device also includes a transmitter arranged to transmit its output to a central database. The central database is configured to store data from the monitoring devices in the network over time, establishing historical data of track conditions as monitored by the monitoring devices. A comparator is configured to compare current track conditions over the network with historical track conditions over the network, providing an indication of likely developments of track conditions.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
• E01H 8/10 - Removing undesirable matter from rails, flange grooves, or the like, e.g. removing ice from contact rails, removing mud from flange grooves

Abstract

A surface conditioning device for railway track rails and/or railway vehicle wheels includes a DC power supply, a supply of gas, a plasma delivery head connected to receive DC power from the power supply and gas from the gas supply, and an igniter for igniting the gas in the plasma delivery head. In use, plasma is generated within the delivery head by ignition of the gas in the delivery head. Plasma with gas is blown from the delivery head onto a railway track rail and/or railway vehicle wheel, thereby conditioning the rail and/or wheel.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61C 15/08 - Preventing wheel slippage
• E01H 8/08 - Methods or apparatus for removing ice or snow from railway tracks, e.g. using snow-ploughs by application of heat
• E01H 8/10 - Removing undesirable matter from rails, flange grooves, or the like, e.g. removing ice from contact rails, removing mud from flange grooves
• B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
• B08B 7/00 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
• B08B 13/00 - Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning
• C23G 5/00 - Cleaning or de-greasing metallic material by other methodsApparatus for cleaning or de-greasing metallic material with organic solvents
• H05H 1/48 - Generating plasma using an arc

Abstract

A surface conditioning (1) device for railway track rails (2) and/or railway vehicle wheels (7), the device comprising: a DC power supply (3); a supply of gas (9); a plasma delivery head (13) connected to receive DC power from said power supply (3) and gas from said gas supply (9); and an igniter (6) for igniting said gas in said plasma delivery head (13): wherein, in use, plasma is generated within said delivery head (13) by ignition of said gas in said delivery head (13), and plasma with gas is blown from the delivery head onto a railway track rail (2) and/or railway vehicle wheel (7), thereby to condition said rail (2) and/or wheel (7).

IPC Classes  ?

• B08B 5/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
• B08B 7/00 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
• B61C 15/00 - Maintaining or augmenting the starting or braking power by auxiliary devices and measuresPreventing wheel slippageControlling distribution of tractive effort between driving wheels
• C23G 3/00 - Apparatus for cleaning or pickling metallic material
• C23G 5/00 - Cleaning or de-greasing metallic material by other methodsApparatus for cleaning or de-greasing metallic material with organic solvents
• E01H 8/00 - Removing undesirable matter from the permanent way of railwaysRemoving undesirable matter from tramway rails
• B60B 39/00 - Increasing wheel adhesion
• H05H 1/00 - Generating plasmaHandling plasma

Abstract

A surface conditioning (1) device for railway track rails (2) and/or railway vehicle wheels (7), the device comprising: a DC power supply (3); a supply of gas (9); a plasma delivery head (13) connected to receive DC power from said power supply (3) and gas from said gas supply (9); and an igniter (6) for igniting said gas in said plasma delivery head (13): wherein, in use, plasma is generated within said delivery head (13) by ignition of said gas in said delivery head (13), and plasma with gas is blown from the delivery head onto a railway track rail (2) and/or railway vehicle wheel (7), thereby to condition said rail (2) and/or wheel (7).

IPC Classes  ?

• B08B 5/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
• B08B 7/00 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
• B60B 39/00 - Increasing wheel adhesion
• B61C 15/00 - Maintaining or augmenting the starting or braking power by auxiliary devices and measuresPreventing wheel slippageControlling distribution of tractive effort between driving wheels
• C23G 3/00 - Apparatus for cleaning or pickling metallic material
• C23G 5/00 - Cleaning or de-greasing metallic material by other methodsApparatus for cleaning or de-greasing metallic material with organic solvents
• E01H 8/00 - Removing undesirable matter from the permanent way of railwaysRemoving undesirable matter from tramway rails
• H05H 1/00 - Generating plasmaHandling plasma

Abstract

A network of monitoring devices 1 for monitoring the condition of the surface of railway track rails 2, each of the monitoring devices 1 comprising a spectrometer 3 configured to monitor at least one frequency that indicates the presence of a contaminant on a railway track rail 2 and to provide an output indicative of the presence or absence of the contaminant on a railway track rail 2, and each of the monitoring devices 1 comprising a transmitter 19 arranged to transmit its output to a central database 20. The central database 20 is configured to store data from the monitoring devices 1 over time, thereby to establish historical data of track conditions as monitored by the monitoring devices 1. A comparator 22 is configured to compare current track conditions over the network with historical track conditions over the network, thereby to provide an indication of likely developments of track conditions.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route

Abstract

A network of monitoring devices 1 for monitoring the condition of the surface of railway track rails 2, each of the monitoring devices 1 comprising a spectrometer 3 configured to monitor at least one frequency that indicates the presence of a contaminant on a railway track rail 2 and to provide an output indicative of the presence or absence of the contaminant on a railway track rail 2, and each of the monitoring devices 1 comprising a transmitter 19 arranged to transmit its output to a central database 20. The central database 20 is configured to store data from the monitoring devices 1 over time, thereby to establish historical data of track conditions as monitored by the monitoring devices 1. A comparator 22 is configured to compare current track conditions over the network with historical track conditions over the network, thereby to provide an indication of likely developments of track conditions.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
• B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systemsTrackside controlCommunication systems specially adapted therefor