Determination of Top of Rail (ToR) Lubricity, using Stationary and Moving Contacting and Non-contacting Devices

The proposed project will continue the efforts that have been underway at (RTL) for the past couple of years for designing and implementing various devices for reliably and reasonably accurately measuring the presence of top-of-rail (ToR) friction modifiers. Such materials are used by railroads to manage the coefficient of friction at the wheel-rail interface. The main challenge in measuring the presence and extent of TOR friction modifiers is that they are applied in very thin layers, commonly a few microns. The material is such that it cannot be easily detected with the naked eye, and is very difficult to measure using tactile or non-tactile means. RTL has developed a laser-based technology that allows measuring the presence of material, qualitatively, on the rail. The qualitative measurements are aimed at establishing index-based methods that can help the railroads with an assessment of the presence of TOR on their rail, beyond the empirical methods currently available to them. The tactile sensor that is under development in this project promises to provide the means for quantifying the thickness of TOR friction modifiers on the rail in an automated and simple-to-use device. The device takes advantage of the conductivity of lubricants that are used in practice to integrate a gear-driven micrometer with a motor that advances the tip until an electrical circuit is closed. This indicates the top of the lubrication layer. The tip is advanced further until it reaches the top of the rail, which prevents it from moving any farther. This signifies the bottom of the lubricant. The difference between the two measurements—commonly in 2 – 20 microns—indicates the thickness of the lubricant layer at the specific location of the measurement. A prototype unit has been tested in the laboratory under different rail conditions and on various types of rail, including a 40-ft rail panel. The results have been quite promising, even though some additional work remains with improving the device’s electro-mechanical design for ease of operation and measurement.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $442500
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747132

• Sponsor Organizations:

  University Transportation Center for Alabama

  University of Alabama
  Tuscaloosa, AL  United States  35487

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  3500 Transportation Research Plaza
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061
• Project Managers:

  Ahmedian, mehdi

• Performing Organizations:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  3500 Transportation Research Plaza
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061
• Principal Investigators:

  Ahmedian, Mehdi

• Start Date: 20170101
• Expected Completion Date: 20231231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Detection and identification technologies; Friction; Lubricants; Prototypes; Railroad tracks; Rolling contact; Sensors; Thickness
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01703225
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center on Improving Rail Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability and Durability
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747132
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Apr 27 2019 7:20PM