Wheel-flat detection on trams using envelope analysis with Hilbert transform

Abstract The wheel-flat defect is one of the many issues decreasing the level of and comfort in light rail vehicles. The two main causes of wheel-flats are temporary or complete wheel blocking. The negative effect is the increase of the dynamic phenomenons in the wheel-rail interaction, which are impulsive in their nature. It could prove to be dangerous for the safety of the ride. Therefore, a regular wheel surface monitoring and wheel-flats detecting would be well-founded to the fast detection of a flat point and to take remedial measures. The main aim of the article is to present the algorithm, according to which the wheel-flat detection during tram passage is possible. Several vibration transducers were mounted on the rail and measured vibration amplitude during trams pass-by. The proposed method is based on the vibration signal processing in the time and frequency domain. The Hilbert transform was used in the algorithm and all research analyses. The carried out experimental study and the analysis of the results of the method, show a high efficiency in the wheel flat detection.