Application of piezoelectric films for measuring dynamical response of freight wagons during exploitation

This paper contains a report on the research of possibilities of the use of piezoelectric transducers in the form of composite films Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) to measure the dynamic response of freight wagons type EAOS during operation. The aim of the study is to verify the possibility to develop a system of supervision of the technical condition of freight wagons, based on measurements of their dynamic response to the standard forces generated during their operation. It was assumed that the MFC piezoelectric films, due to a number of advantages can be used as sensors in the proposed measurement system and to verify the effectiveness of their operation the sequence of tests on real objects during observed rides were carried out. The repeatability of received waveforms of electric voltage, generated by the piezoelectric transducers glued on selected items of wagon stand was verified. In addition, a preliminary analysis of the received signals was done in order to determine their usefulness in the system of supervision of the technical condition of freight cars.