Method for monitoring a railway system and sensor arrangement for a railway system

Abstract

A method for monitoring a railway system is provided. The method may include arranging a sensor below a movable railway element of the railway system, and measuring a spatial position of at least a segment of the movable railway element by a contactless measurement by the sensor. The sensor may be configured to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element, and the respective spatial position may relate to the distance between the segment of the movable railway element and a rail of the railway system. Furthermore, a sensor arrangement for a railway system is provided.

1 . A method for monitoring a railway system, the method comprising:
 arranging a sensor below a movable railway element of the railway system; and   measuring a spatial position of at least a segment of the movable railway element by a contactless measurement by the sensor,   wherein:   the sensor is configured to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element; and   the respective spatial position relates to a distance between the segment of the movable railway element and a rail of the railway system.   
     
     
         2 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable railway element comprises a tongue rail. 
     
     
         3 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to differentiate between a plurality of different spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element. 
     
     
         4 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 1 , wherein the spatial position of the segment of the movable railway element is measured for a first arrangement of the movable railway element, where in the first arrangement of the movable railway element, the segment of the movable railway element is in its closest position with respect to the rail, and the spatial position of the segment of the movable railway element is measured for a second arrangement of the movable railway element, where in the second arrangement of the movable railway element, the segment of the movable railway element is arranged spaced apart from the rail. 
     
     
         5 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 4 , wherein in the second arrangement of the movable railway element, the segment of the movable railway element is arranged at its maximum distance from the rail. 
     
     
         6 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 4 , wherein the spatial position measured for the first arrangement of the movable railway element and the spatial position measured for the second arrangement of the movable railway element are saved by the sensor as reference positions. 
     
     
         7 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 4 , wherein in the first arrangement of the movable railway element, a first edge of the movable railway element is detected by the sensor, a second edge of the movable railway element is arranged opposite to the first edge, and the second edge is not arranged above the sensor in the first arrangement. 
     
     
         8 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 7 , wherein in the second arrangement of the movable railway element, the second edge of the movable railway element is detected by the sensor, and the first edge is not arranged above the sensor in the second arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 1 , wherein a passing range of spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element is selected, and a pass signal is provided for a case in which a spatial position within the passing range is measured. 
     
     
         10 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 1 , wherein a stopping range of spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element is selected, and a stop signal is provided for a case in which a spatial position within the stopping range is measured. 
     
     
         11 . The method for monitoring a railway system according to  claim 1 , wherein the spatial position of the segment of the movable railway element is measured at different points in time for a case in which the segment of the movable railway element is in its closest position with respect to the rail. 
     
     
         12 . A sensor arrangement for a railway system, the sensor arrangement comprising:
 a sensor that is configured to measure a spatial position of at least a segment of a movable railway element of the railway system in a contactless measurement and to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the segment of the movable railway element,   wherein:   the sensor is configured to be arranged below the movable railway element; and   the respective spatial position relates to a distance between the segment of the movable railway element and a rail of the railway system.   
     
     
         13 . The sensor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one metal sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one inductive sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one capacitive sensor.