Sensor for measuring load on wheels of running railway vehicle

The necessity to measure loading on railway vehicle wheels under the conditions of running has imposed the task to develop a sensor for dynamic measuring. To use such a sensor is of great importance on purpose of practical needs at cross-border stations, marshaling yards, commercial sites, etc. The paper examines the possibility to use a sensor for measuring the load on the wheels of railway vehicles under the conditions of running. The sensor presented has been developed on the basis of an analogous one used for static measuring. The accuracy of measuring has been analyzed by carrying out a great number of physical (real-time) and numerical experiments. The influence of the speed of running has been determined as well. The results obtained are a prerequisite for implementing the sensor in the railway system in the Republic of Bulgaria. The railway administration needs such a device of measuring, which can be used for: control on overloading; control on redistribution of loading on wheels and wheel-axles; assessment of railway vehicle spring hanging. The sensor will contribute to increasing the reliability of rolling stock and train traffic safety.