Perpetuum has announced it will be working with Greater Anglia to introduce innovative wheel and wheel impact force technology on the train operator’s rural routes.
The Perpetuum system will use a wireless, energy harvesting sensor to provide in-service alerts of wheel damage and impact forces on two Greater Anglia Class 156 units, providing the operator with a means of preventing wheel failures and ensuring availability targets are met. The initial fitment will be to two Class 156 units, and is then expected to be rolled out across the rest of the fleet.
“This provides a step change in wheel monitoring in the UK, as the sensors will provide alerts regardless of train location, and routes covered,” explained Justin Southcombe, commercial director at Perpetuum. “By converting wheel vibration measurements into wheel impact force, Greater Anglia can ensure that rolling stock is not causing excessive damage to the infrastructure remotely. This will allow units to remain in service for longer, and provide alerts of changes in wheel condition to the maintainer.”
