Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM
The Contact Wire Inspection System Low-Speed (CIS-LS) measures wire position and wear in a single, contactless measurement process. Different from the Contact Wire Inspection System (CIS), the sensors of the low-speed variant are mounted vertically inside the wagon, except for the illumination panel, which is fitted to the roof. The CIS-LS comprises a Contact Wire Recording System (CRS) and a Wire Wear Monitoring System (WWS).
Reliable operation at up to 60 km/h
The system can be used at speeds of up to 60 km/h. A processing unit inside the inspection train provides the operators on site with processed position data that has already been adjusted for the train’s roll, which is recorded separately. As the sensor is located inside the cabin, it can be cleaned easily without the need for an expensive automatic cleaning facility. The CIS-LS features its own lighting unit, meaning it can be operated reliably in any lighting conditions, including at night, in tunnels, or under bridges.
Camera-based wire wear detection
Cameras are used to identify the level of wire wear. The residual thickness of contact wires with a round cross section is calculated from the width of their sliding surface. The system's camera-based measuring unit records the sliding surface and uses this information to derive data about the degree of wear. One line image is acquired every millimeter. Typically, a measurement value is generated every 12 mm.
Laser scanner for detecting wire position
The CRS, a laser-based measuring unit, records the contact wire position. The system scans at high frequencies with high precision. The measurement range extends from 0.5 m to 4 m depending on environmental conditions.
Modular system
The CIS-LS’s acquisition unit is modular and comprises the WWS and CRS. As a one-box solution, the system can be flexibly mounted on different measuring vehicles, provided the LED panel can be placed nearby. Two LED panels instead of one provide optimized illumination and allow measurements at up to 120 km/h while maintaining all specifications. The customer-friendly software features the analysis of the catenary system.