AUTOMATED TURNOUT INSPECTION
First Claim
1. A method of inspecting a turnout of a track, the method comprising the steps of:
- capturing images of running rail portions and components of the turnout;
converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a profile of the image of each respective running rail portion and each respective component;
analyzing the profile to determine if the profile is a profile of a running rail portion or a component;
upon determination that the profile of the image represents a component, taking measurements of the profile and applying virtual gauges to the profile to check for potentially dangerous conditions of the component;
generating a summary of each cross-section of the profile of the component indicating problem areas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of inspecting a turnout of a track includes the steps of: capturing images of the components of the turnout; converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a rail profile; analyzing the rail profile to determine if the rail profile is a profile of arunning rail portion or a component. Upon determination that the image represents a component, taking measurements of the rail profile and applying virtual gauges to the rail profile to check for potentially dangerous conditions of the component; and generating a summary of each cross-section of the rail profile of the component indicating problem areas. The method is used for identifying certain classes of switch or turnout rail conditions which can lead to derailments, and for enhancing the turnout inspection approach currently used. The use of this method as an integrated part of the rail profile monitoring program will reduce reliance on field measurements and will also allow more frequent, comprehensive, and convenient analysis of turnout condition.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of inspecting a turnout of a track, the method comprising the steps of:
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capturing images of running rail portions and components of the turnout; converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a profile of the image of each respective running rail portion and each respective component; analyzing the profile to determine if the profile is a profile of a running rail portion or a component; upon determination that the profile of the image represents a component, taking measurements of the profile and applying virtual gauges to the profile to check for potentially dangerous conditions of the component; generating a summary of each cross-section of the profile of the component indicating problem areas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of inspecting a switch rail of a track, the method comprising the steps of:
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capturing images of the switch rail; converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a profile of the switch rail; applying data analysis logic to check that the shape the profile of the switch rail is consistent with expected profile shapes of the switch rail; applying data quality filters to the coordinates to remove stray points, lines, and other extraneous (non-essential) data points captured in the image; overlaying the coordinates of a profile of an original section as a reference over the coordinates of the profile of the image; comparing measurements of the profile of the image of the switch rail to the profile of the original section; electronically applying gauges to the profile of the switch rail; using the measurements and the gauge readings to determine if the switch rail has problem areas; generating a summary of each cross-section of the profile of the switch rail indicating the problem areas. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of inspecting a frog of a track, the method comprising the steps of:
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capturing images of the frog; converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a profile of the frog; applying data analysis logic to check that the shape the profile of the frog is consistent with expected profile shapes of the frog; applying data quality filters to the coordinates to remove stray points, lines, and other extraneous (non-essential) data points captured in the image; setting the profile of the frog to a fixed reference point; comparing measurements of the profile of the image of the frog to a profile of an original section; electronically applying gauges to the profile of the frog; using the measurements and the gauge readings to determine if the frog has problem areas; generating a summary of each cross-section of the profile of the frog indicating the problem areas.
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- 17. The method of inspecting the frog as recited in claim 17 wherein the gauges are a set of coordinate points which can be translated to be applied at the appropriate position and location of the image, whereby the gauges provide the ability to measure how close the frog is to meeting a failure condition.
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20. A method of inspecting a track, the method comprising the steps of:
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capturing images of portions of a rail; converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a profile of each respective image of the rail; applying a virtual electronic gauge to each respective profile to check for potentially dangerous conditions of the rail.
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Specification