Patent ID: 7007561
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: B61K,B61L,G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A railway track strength measurement system comprising: an axle assembly having a first wheel and a second wheel, the wheels positioned to ride on railway track; a first axle half connected to the first wheel and a second axle half connected to the second wheel; the first and second axle halves being interconnected by an expansion device, the expansion device adapted to increase and decrease the distance between the first and second wheels and places a lateral load on the axle halves and track; and the axle halves each including force sensors adapted to measure changes in lateral forces in the axle halves; the compression device includes a hydraulic ram connected to the first axle half at a first end and to the second axle half at a second end; the first and second axle halves are fixed and do not rotate with respect to the first and second wheels; said first axle half includes a load measurement region; the load measurement region is formed to define two opposed vertical recesses, with a solid portion positioned between the two recesses; wherein the solid portion includes two apertures adapted to receive load cells.