NeuRAIL: MOCV, optical Vertical-Load Measurement

The MOCV application, developed in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Milan, enables NeuRAIL to measure the vertical load of each wheel during the transit of a train running at a controlled speed.

Based on the strain the passage of a wheel induced upon the track, the measurement is read by passive, extremely sensitive and long-life fiber-optic sensors interrogated by an acquiring laser at a frequency of 1kHz.

MOCV: competitive advantages and features

EASY TO INSTALL: thanks to anchoring with high-strength magnets, sensors can be installed without replacing the track or conducting invasive operations on the existing track

REMOVABLE using a simple mechanical tool; leaves no "traces" on the rail

AVAILABLE FOR LONG DISTANCES from the site of acquisition

REDOUNDED: the system can operate even following a single or double failure on the sensor network

features under DEVELOPMENT

Studies are underway at various maturity levels on the following topics:

Reduction of measurement error to less than 2% on a single axis
Deep-Learning study on the characterization of waveforms in transit to identify wheel anomalies

MOCV: Composition and installation

MOCV consists of 12 (or more) sensors installed on a flat, straight section of rail over a 15-20 meter track length. The track must meet the structural and geometric requirements stated in EN15654-1.

The basic configuration envisages two sensor-pair triplets. This configuration also allows the convoy speed to be measured with an accuracy of 0.2km/h.

The MOCV system is designed as per UNI EN 15654-1 and can be certified in situ as per UNI EN 15654-3.

MOCV: Data and Interface

GRAPHIC OUTPUT. gray: left wheel weight; violet: right wheel weight. Sky blue: individual wagons; blue: Front/rear bogie.

Load is estimated implementing a machine learning algorithm validated in the field as per EN15654-3.

The measurements provided by the application comply with EN 15654-1:

vertical load per wheel
axle load
sum of axial loads per bogie
wagon Weight
weight of the entire train

Measurements related to the wagon's axial and longitudinal imbalance are also possible.

MOCV: INSTALLATION AND TESTING

Through the preliminary static weight of the train used in the testing and certification phases, it was possible to compile a data base for the objective comparison of the weights subsequently detected by MOCV at the passage of the congoglio at the various speeds foreseen.