Automatic Process Control Computer: Measuring Run Versine / Longitudinal Level Compensation
Automatic Process Control Computer: Measuring Run Versine / Longitudinal Level Compensation
Automatic Process Control Computer: Measuring Run Versine / Longitudinal Level Compensation
Operating Instructions
Date of Issue: June 2011
2 SDG-7_3_3
The measurements obtained during a measuring run will be valid only as long as track geometry
will not change due to a larger number of trains passing. These considerations also determine the
length of the track section to be measured.
Before starting a measuring run make sure that the machine lining and levelling systems are ready
for service.
It is advisable to drive a short distance to rule out any measurement errors in the beginning of the
measuring run which might occur due to lining or sensing rollers not fitting closely to the rail.
During this short run the operator should read the analogue measuring instruments to find a
suitable starting position. A suitable track section is a track without measurements scattering
widely.
Before starting the measuring run the location of the machine must be marked on the track to
make sure that work will be started in exactly the same location. In order to achieve exact
measurements the measuring run should start in the same direction as work.
Switch the lining system to 3-point measurement.
Activate the superelevation selector switch to determine the reference rail for longitudinal level
recording.
The reference rail for versine recording has been selected by pressing the versine measuring
system against the respective rail.
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Measurement direction:
A measuring run ca be carried out in forward or backward direction, compared to the working
direction.
If backward measurement has been chosen, the end position of the measuring run is at the same
time the starting point for working.
Bogie support on
If the bogie support is switched on the respective field has to be activated (ticked off) by pressing
the space bar.
Operating modes:
Standard mode (preselected automatically).
This mode has to be used when carrying out a measuring run with the machine. Distance will
be covered by the distance measuring wheel.
Tastatursimulation (preselected automatically on office computers, where only this
mode is available). This mode is used to make a distance simulation with the directional
keys.
Distance wheel simulation
When selecting this option, distance will be simulated at constant speed.
After having selected the above mentioned items, confirm the entires to change to the WinALC –
[Messx*] window.
In default settings the program shows only the graphic window. It is, however, also possible to
display only the constraints table or both windows one beneath the other.
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Title bar: shows the file name given by the WinALC program.
Status bar: the indication on the right hand end of the status bar shows that the measuring run
is active.
Positioning line: the blue horizontal line shows the reference point of the machine on the chart.
Usually, this is the front tightening trolley.
Positioning column:
The positioning bar shows the actual location in red. The other data refers to the distance scale
set.
Synchronization column:
This column shows the markers and constraints.
Reference rail:
The reference rail selected for alignment and level is shown as the blue rail in the track symbol
above the respective columns.
Alignment: (red line)
The alignment column shows the versine measurements.
A graphic representation left of the zero line, seen in measurement direction, is a right hand
curve.
The measured values will be shown, depending on the selection in the program settings (see
settings), as actual ersine in mm or radius in m. These are the actual measurements of the
corresponding transducer relating to the location of the transducer.
Superelevation: (brown line)
The superelevation column displays the measurements of the pendulum selected.
The graphic representation left of the zero line, seen in measuring direction, indicates that the
left rail is higher than the right rail.
The superelevation values indicated on top of the column are the measurements in mm relating
to the location of the transducer.
Level:(violet line)
The level column displays the longitudinal level of the selected reference rail.
The graphic representation left of the zero line means a negative value.
The values indicated on top of the column are the measurements of the transducer in mm,
related to the location of the transducer.
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With the help of the control keys F11 and F12 you can swap over to the other window. Use F12 to
display the windows one beneath the other.
If one of the windows has been closed by mistake, F11 or F12 will open it again.
Use the chart to get an overview of the measuring run loaded and, if necessary, to change
markers and constraints.
Information on measured values and markers:
If you position the mouse pointer in any place of the chart on one of the three recorded data lines
or on one of the symbols in the synchronization column, after about 1 second a field will be
opened for about 5 seconds.
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The respective field selected contains information on the position and the measured value.
The symbol selected currently will flash. Pressing the Enter key opens a window to work on this
symbol.
Editing can be controlled with the mouse, as described below, or in the context menu.
tolerance value entered to be made. The default value is 0, which means no displacement.
Longitudinal level: if this field is active, the reference point is also effective for longitudinal
level. If required, a corresponding tolerance value has to be input.
Constraint window
Start pos., end pos.: defines
the starting and end point of
the constraint.
Absolute start / end vlaue: in
order to obtain the absolute
starting value and end value
entered, the slewing values will be
adapted within a range von XX m
in the corresponding direction.
The default value is 0 meaning no
displacement.
For versine compensation calculation it is essential to select a track category and define a
maximum displacement value.
On the basis of these values entered by the operator versine compensation will be calculated for
the current measuring run file. Existing constraints and reference points will be considered.
After the first, automatic versine compensation calculation constant areas can be defined.
The versine image recorded during the measuring run and the calculated versine curve as well as
the displacement values resulting from it will be displayed on the screen.
In this window you select a track category and enter the maximum slewing values, thus defining
the calculation stage and the required degree of compensation.
Track categories determine the degree of smoothing to be achieved. The higher the track
category, the higher will be the difference between recorded and calculated versine value.
Maximum displacement values determine the maximum slewing value admissible for the
calculation.
The read in last compensation command displays the result of the last calculation graphically.
By pressing the "enter key" you start the calculation.
If too high a track category or too narrow limits have been selected, a corresponding message
will appear. Either a lower track category or a higher maximum slewing value needs to be
entered.
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In the alignment column of the chart the calculated versine (green) is superimposed on the
versine image recorded during the measuring run (red).
On top of the graphic chart the recorded (red) and the calculated value (green) (radius or
versine, depending on your selection) for the place determined by the positioning line are
displayed.
The difference (Diff) between recorded and calculated versine value will be shown for about 5
seconds, when you move the mouse pointer to the respective position and leave it there.
The displacement column of the chart displays the slewing values resulting from versine
compensation, and the maximum lines (red dashed line).
When moving the mouse pointer to the displacement values curve and leaving it there, after
about 1 second these values will be shown for about 5 seconds in a window.
The slewing values of the respective points selected with the positioning line will also be
shown on top of the chart.
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The aim should be to get the best possible versine course corresponding to the existing
geometry with the minimum possible displacement. Generally, the optimum result that still can
be realised in working mode shoulde be stored.
Too high a compensation level will lead to undesirable deviations, above all, in locations
where the geometric forms change, which in turn creates a versine curve that no longer
corresponds to the basic track geometry form.
If all the measures described above do not lead to the required results, you can still define
constant areas
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Constant areas are displayed as areas with green edges. When a constant area has been set, use
the compensation > start new calculation command to re-calculate the geometry.
If the new versine curve does not meet the requirements, the compensation results can be
changed by changing the area and repeating calculation.
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A window opens where start and end, as well as longitudinal level curve can be selected.
Important: constant areas have to be set in such a way that a symmetric versine
compensation relating to the average versine of the marked area can be carried out.
Avoid sectioning which would lead to one-side versine modifications.
Before leaving the represent calculation mode the modified file has to be stored. Otherwise, the
modifications will be lost.
For longitudinal level compensation calculation it is essential to select a track category and define
a minimum and maximum lifting value.
On the basis of these values entered by the operator longitudinal level compensation will be
calculated for the current measuring run file. Existing constraints and reference points or changes
in gradient will be considered.
After the first, automatic longitudinal levelcompensation calculation constant areas can be defined.
The longitudinal level image recorded during the measuring run and the calculated longitudinal
level curve as well as the lifting values resulting from it will be displayed on the screen.
Track categories determine the degree of smoothing to be achieved. The higher the track
category, the higher will be the difference between recorded longitudinal level and the
calculated compensation line.
The minimum and maximum lifting values determine the calculation limits.
When selecting or entering the respective values, you thus determine the basis for the longitudinal
level compensation calculation.
The read in last compensation command displays the result of the last calculation graphically.
By pressing the OK key you start the calculation.
If too high a track category and / or too narrow limits have been selected, a corresponding
message will appear. Either a lower track category or a higher maximum lifting value needs to
be entered.
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In the level column of the chart the calculated longitudinal level (green) is superimposed on the
longitudinal level curve of the reference rail recorded during the measuring run (violet).
On top of the graphic chart the recorded (violet) and the calculated value (green) for the place
determined by the positioning line are displayed.
When moving the mouse pointer to a certain position and leaving it there, the difference
between the recorded and the calculated longitudinal level value will be shown for about 5
seconds in a window.
The slewing values of the respective points selected with the positioning line will also be
shown on top of the chart.
The level column of the chart displays the lifting values (yellow) resulting from longitudinal
level compensation, and the maximum line (red dashed line).
When moving the mouse pointer to the lifting values curve and leaving it there, after about 1
second these values will be shown for about 5 seconds in a window.
Apart from that, the difference between measured and target superelevation is displayed.
The slewing values of the respective points selected with the positioning line will also be
shown on top of the chart.
A light brown curve left of zero line means that the superelevated rail is the lower one. If the light
brown line is on the right of the zero line, the superelevated rail is the higher one.
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Important: lifting values must be larger than a positive superelevation defect. Therefore, the lifting
values (yellow) must always be on the right hand side of the superelevation difference line (brown)
on the chart.
Generally, the optimum result that still can be realised in working mode shoulde be stored.
If the result is not as expected, call up longitudinal level compensation once again. Select a
different track category and / or change the minimum and maximum lifting values and start a new
calculation with the Compensation > start new calculation command.
If you only want to change the lifting value, double-click the minimum or maximum line to open a
window where the value can be changed.
Then start a new calculation.
The aim should be to obtain an optimum longitudinal level line that corresponds to the existing
track geometry with as little as possible lifting values.
When the required longitudinal level compensation has been finished, use the Compensation >
finish calculation command.
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A window opens that allows the starting and end positions, as well as the longitudinal level course
tob e selected.
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