Distributed Diagnostics Hub - DDH

The demand for rail in the UK and Europe is growing rapidly and to meet this demand improvements in capacity for the network have come from improved rolling stock and track upgrades but while the system operates at capacity it is critical that mechanical failures of rolling stock both locomotives and carriages are minimised to prevent delays and the possibility of rail operating companies incurring fines for lateness. The most significant cause of breakdown is door failure or a false indication of door failure. Companies have recognised and have developed solutions to this problem; However, these systems are expensive and can cost up to £10k/train. Other companies offer train condition monitoring systems focused either specific subsystems such as Bogies or simply monitor alarms, door indicators, air-conditioners with data loggers as distinct from condition monitoring these sub systems. Our innovation - DDH is a condition monitoring system that collects the large volumes of data from each sensor and provides alerts to the driver to a developing fault. The pre-processed data is then transmitted to a cloud server and that data set is further processed to provide information to the maintenance teams so they can plan maintenance and avoid a costly breakdown.