Recognition of Wheel Polygon Based on W/R Force Measurement by Piezoelectric Sensors in GSM-R Network

Abstract

The influence of polygonal wheels on vehicle dynamic responses and condition monitoring measurement, are a focal point of research to ensure operation safety and improve service quality of high speed railway transportation. Wheel defects are commonly identified by the detection of wheel–rail (W/R) contact forces based on installing strain gauge on wheelsets or rails. Compared with strain gauge, PVDF piezoelectric sensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, wide frequency response, vast dynamic range, and perfect electromagnetic-immune property. Hence, a measure system to recognize wheel polygon based on W/R force measurement by PVDF strain sensors in Railroad network is built, which has long distance and high stability. On the basis of W/R contact forces derived from wheel polygon impacts, the measured PVDF strain sensor response is processed to generate an index that reflects the condition of wheel polygon. An automatic remote condition monitoring system is designed under GSM-R transmission lines. The preliminary experimental results showed that this system is suitable for complex electromagnetic environment and stable demands of high speed railways.