Bridge movement is measured with every passing train and data is transferred to a Gantner Cloud system via 4G modem. In the case of unwanted bridge movement, an alarm is generated and the Railway Operations Center is notified by Email. For every passing train, data is acquired at 500Hz with high resolution to ensure precise measurement of bridge movements for further evaluation.
The challenge was the tight schedule to provide a solution with no possibility to power the measurement system from any local grid. In combination with the demand to generate fast and precise measurement data with every passing train, the power supply system had to be designed with great care. After analysis of the local region’s weather data from the past 5 years, two solar panels were selected along with a high-quality Lithium-Ion battery. This carefully selected combination of products guarantees several days of measurement autonomy, even under harsh environmental conditions including low temperature and solar radiation during the winter season.
The entire process from first customer interaction to the installation and commissioning of the off-grid measurement system took only 3 months. Gantner Instruments was responsible for the complete system design of the measurement cabinet as well as the simulation and design of the solar powered off-grid system. After 2 weeks of full-scale testing at Gantner Instruments’ headquarters located in Schruns, the complete measurement system was delivered on-site.
Thanks to close cooperation with the customer during all project phases, both the installation and commissioning of the complete measurement system were executed within one day. With the Gantner Cloud system now in operation, data is collected with every passing train while live measurement values and system status information is accessible for railway crew with just a few mouse clicks. With a web browser-based fleet monitoring system such as the Gantner Cloud, it is possible to manage any number of constructions, regardless if on-site grid power is available.
More articles
Python Integration – A New Level of Automation and Analysis
Engineering teams rely on powerful, customizable tools to handle increasingly complex test scenarios. GI.bench now includes integrated Python scripting, empowering engineers to automate measurement workflows, perform advanced real-time analyses, and seamlessly integrate with external software. This feature leverages Python's rich ecosystem, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in test and measurement projects.
Read more...Gantner Instruments delivers DAQ system to the Technical University of Denmark – DTU
Gantner Instruments is proud to announce that is has delivered it’s Q.series Data Acquisition System to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) for their Villum Center for Advanced Structural and Material Testing (CASMaT). The center is a collaboration between DTU Civil Engineering, DTU Mechanical Engineering and DTU Wind Energy with the objective to strengthen experimental research in mechanics of structures and materials. A large donation from VILLUM FONDEN made it possible to establish the center.
Read more...Q.series X A101 SV: Universal Measurement Module with Sensor Supply
The Q.series X A101 2 x DB15HD SV module from Gantner Instruments is a precisely engineered multi-functional measurement module that seamlessly integrates into a variety of industrial applications. With 2 universal analog inputs and a programmable sensor supply voltage and current limit, this module is crafted to provide precise and reliable data across a spectrum of measurement needs.
Read more...Long term Volcano Monitoring – A field study
Monitoring volcano activity is an important issue in the mitigation of natural hazards. Recently, most fatal issues occurred on volcanoes with low-energy and moderate activity, making them attractive touristic places (e.g., the 2014 Mount Ontake eruption in Japan). For these types of volcanoes, monitoring involves multiphysics measurements on dense networks. Distributed networks of sensors must be easily adapted to the volcano’s evolving state and the appearance of new active areas like fumaroles or high heat flux in the soil.
Read more...