The paper presents research results on the application of infrared thermography for diagnostics of machines and devices in railway infrastructure. The theoretical foundations based on Fourier’s heat conduction equation are outlined and the principles of designing an automated diagnostic system using thermal cameras, a data processing server, and machine learning algorithms are described. Examples of thermograms and graphs illustrate the detection of defects in cable connections, rail joints and turnout drives. Experimental studies confirmed that infrared diagnostics ensure high accuracy, speed and reliability in detecting hidden faults that remain unnoticed by traditional inspection methods. An economic analysis demonstrated a reduction in maintenance costs by up to 65% and a 67% decrease in train downtime. The obtained results prove the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing infrared thermographic systems in the maintenance practice of Ukrainian railways to enhance operational safety and optimize maintenance expenses.
- X. Maldague. (2001). Theory and Practice of Infrared Technology for Nondestructive Testing. Wiley, 704 p. doi:10.1002/9781118211568
- A. Bagavathiappan et al. (2013). Infrared thermography for condition monitoring – A review. Infrared Physics & Technology, 60, 35–55. doi:10.1016/j.infrared.2013.03.006
- S. Vidas, P. Moghadam. (2013). HeatWave: A Hand-Held 3D Thermography System for Energy Auditing. Energy and Buildings, 66, 445–460. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.008
- Z. Chen et al. (2020). Railway infrastructure defect detection using infrared thermography and deep learning. IEEE Access, 8, 128485–128497. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3008652
- G. Rilling, P. Flandrin and P. Goncalves. (2003). On empirical mode decomposition and its algorithms. IEEE-EURASIP Workshop on Nonlinear Signal and Image Processing, Grado, Italy. doi:10.1109/NOLISP.2003.1216789
- M. Usamentiaga et al. (2014). Infrared thermography for temperature measurement and non-destructive testing. Sensors, 14(7), 12305–12348. doi:10.3390/s140712305
- P. J. Shull. (2002). Nondestructive Evaluation: Theory, Techniques, and Applications. CRC Press, 876 p. doi:10.1201/9780203909133
- Y. Park, J. H. Lee and S. Hong. (2017). Application of infrared thermography for railway track inspection. NDT & E International, 92, 60–70. doi:10.1016/j.ndteint.2017.08.001
- ASTM E1933-14, Standard Test Methods for Measuring and Compensating for Emissivity Using Infrared Imaging Radiometers, ASTM International, 2014. doi:10.1520/E1933-14
- ISO 18436-7, Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics of Machines – Requirements for Qualification and Assessment of Personnel – Part 7: Thermography, ISO, 2014.