Framework For Continuous Monitoring Research Articles

Application of vibration signals in railway track diagnostics using a mobile railway platform

The article presents a comprehensive method for using vibration signals to diagnose railway tracks. The primary objective is to gather detailed information on track conditions through a passive experiment. This involves using mobile diagnostic tools and techniques to assess railway infrastructure. The article elaborates on the range of diagnostic activities conducted in accordance with detailed railway regulations and highlights the benefits and capabilities of mobile diagnostics in railway transport. The research includes mobile field measurements across the general railway manager’s network, employing vibration signals to detect and evaluate track conditions. The methodology section provides a thorough description of the mobile measurement rail platform, detailing the equipment used, the routes taken for measurements, and the processes of data acquisition and processing. The data obtained from these measurements is crucial for understanding the actual technical condition of the railway tracks. The method of obtaining and processing data is explained in relation to the real technical condition of the railway track. This involves using transducers with specific parameters and parametrically defined signal recording, along with dedicated analysis techniques in post-processing. Vibration signals serve as the primary carrier of information in this diagnostic method. The article details the step-by-step procedures for collecting and analyzing these signals to provide accurate assessments of track conditions. Based on the results from the mobile measurement rail platform, the article characterizes various areas of diagnostics where vibration signals are particularly effective for technical evaluation. These areas include identifying track defects, monitoring track surface and railway crossing and assessing the overall structural health of the railway infrastructure. The use of vibration signals offers a non-invasive and efficient means of track diagnostics, providing real-time data for maintenance and repair decisions. In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of mobile diagnostics in enhancing the safety and reliability of railway transport. By leveraging vibration signals and advanced data processing techniques, this method provides a framework for continuous monitoring and assessment of railway track conditions, ultimately contributing to improved maintenance strategies and operational efficiency.

Industry 4.0 Application in Manufacturing for Real-Time Monitoring and Control

Modern manufacturing aims to reduce downtime and track process anomalies to make profitable business decisions. This ideology is strengthened by Industry 4.0, which aims to continuously monitor high-value manufacturing assets. This article builds upon the Industry 4.0-concept to improve the efficiency of manufacturing systems. The major contribution is a framework for continuous monitoring and feedback-based control in the friction stir welding (FSW) process. It consists of a CNC manufacturing machine, sensors, edge, cloud systems, and deep neural networks, all working cohesively in real-time. The edge device, located near the FSW machine, consists of a neural network that receives sensory information and predicts weld quality in real-time. It addresses time-critical manufacturing decisions. Cloud receives the sensory data if weld quality is poor, and a second neural network predicts the new set of welding parameters that are sent as feedback to the welding machine. Several experiments are conducted for training the neural networks. The framework successfully tracks process quality and improves the welding by controlling it in real-time. The system enables faster monitoring and control achieved in less than 1 second. The framework is validated through several experiments.

A framework for monitoring of new drugs in Sweden

In order to monitor the net public health benefit of new drugs, especially in the light of recent stepwise approval approaches, there is a need to optimize real-time post-marketing evaluation of new drugs using data collected in routine care. Sweden, with its unique possibilities for observational research, can provide these data. We herein propose a framework for continuous monitoring of the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of new drugs, using prospectively determined protocols designed in collaboration between all relevant stakeholders. We believe that this framework can be a useful tool for healthcare authorities and reimbursement agencies in the introduction of new drugs.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PROTOTYPE SOLAR UPDRAFT CHIMNEY IN ASWAN/EGYPT

This work is part of a joint project funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) of the Arab republic of Egypt and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of the Federal Republic of Germany. Continuation of the use of fossil fuels in electricity production systems causes many problems such as: global warming, other environmental concerns, the depletion of fossil fuels reserves and continuing rise in the price of fuels. One of the most promising paths to solve the energy crisis is utilizing the renewable energy resources. In Egypt, high insolation and more than 90 percent available desert lands are two main factors that encourage the full development of solar power plants for thermal and electrical energy production. With an average temperature of about 40 °C for more than half of the year and average annual sunshine of about 3200 hours, which is close to the theoretical maximum annual sunshine hours, Aswan is one of the hottest and sunniest cities in the world. This climatic condition makes the city an ideal place for implementing solar energy harvesting projects from solar updraft tower. Therefore, a Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) is being installed at Aswan City. The chimney height is 20.0 m, its diameter is 1.0m and the collector is a four-sided pyramid, which has a side length of 28.5 m. A mathematical model is used to predict its performance. The model shows that the plant can produce a maximum theoretical power of 2 kW. Moreover, a CFD code is used to analyse the temperature and velocity distribution inside the collector, turbine and chimney at different operating conditions. Static calculations, including dead weight and wind forces on the solar updraft chimney and its solar collector, have been performed for the prototype. Mechanical loading and ambient impact on highly used industrial structures such as chimneys and masts cause lifetime-related deteriorations. Structural degradations occur not only from rare extreme loading events, but often as a result of the ensemble of load effects during the life-time of the structure. A Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), framework for continuous monitoring, is implemented on the solar tower. For the ongoing case study, the types of impacts, the development of the strategic sensor positioning concept, examples of the initially obtained results and further prospects are discussed. Additional wind tunnel tests have been performed to investigate the flow situation underneath the solar collector and inside the transition section. The flow situation in and around the SCPP has been simulated by a combination of the wind tunnel flow and a second flow inside the solar tower. Different wind tunnel velocities and volume flow rates have been measured respectively. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements give some indication of the flow situation on the in- and outside of the solar tower and underneath the collector roof. Numerical simulations have been performed with the ANSYS Fluent to validate the experimental tests.