APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING TRACK IN RAILROAD
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inspecting track in a railroad, comprising:
- a track inspection platform configured to be positioned on a railroad formed by at least two tracks, the track inspection platform including a propulsion system and a vehicle control system, wherein the propulsion system and vehicle control system are configured to selectively and adjustably operate and control the track inspection platform to traverse the railroad in a self-propelled manner;
at least one track inspection device, each track inspection device disposed on the track inspection platform and configured to produce electronic inspection data relating to at least one condition of the railroad in conjunction with operation of the track inspection platform to perform a railroad inspection task; and
a track inspection controller disposed on the track inspection platform and in operative communication with the vehicle control system and the at least one track inspection device, wherein the track inspection controller is configured to control one or more track inspection device to selectively or continuously produce the corresponding electronic inspection data in conjunction with performance of the railroad inspection task.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A track inspection vehicle includes a track inspection platform with a propulsion system and a vehicle control system, at least one track inspection device, and a track inspection controller. The track inspection platform is to be positioned on a railroad. The propulsion system and vehicle control system selectively and adjustably operate and control the track inspection platform to traverse the railroad in a self-propelled manner. Each track inspection device produces electronic inspection data relating to a condition of the railroad in conjunction with operation of the track inspection platform to perform a railroad inspection task. The track inspection controller controls one or more track inspection device to selectively or continuously produce the corresponding electronic inspection data in conjunction with performance of the railroad inspection task. The track inspection vehicle may also include a remote control unit. Various methods for inspecting track in a railroad are also provided.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inspecting track in a railroad, comprising:
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a track inspection platform configured to be positioned on a railroad formed by at least two tracks, the track inspection platform including a propulsion system and a vehicle control system, wherein the propulsion system and vehicle control system are configured to selectively and adjustably operate and control the track inspection platform to traverse the railroad in a self-propelled manner; at least one track inspection device, each track inspection device disposed on the track inspection platform and configured to produce electronic inspection data relating to at least one condition of the railroad in conjunction with operation of the track inspection platform to perform a railroad inspection task; and a track inspection controller disposed on the track inspection platform and in operative communication with the vehicle control system and the at least one track inspection device, wherein the track inspection controller is configured to control one or more track inspection device to selectively or continuously produce the corresponding electronic inspection data in conjunction with performance of the railroad inspection task. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for inspecting track in a railroad, comprising:
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a remote control unit; and a track inspection vehicle in operative communication with the remote control unit, the track inspection vehicle comprising; a track inspection platform configured to be positioned on a railroad formed by at least two tracks, the track inspection platform including a propulsion system and a vehicle control system, wherein the propulsion system and vehicle control system are configured to selectively and adjustably operate and control the track inspection vehicle to traverse the railroad in a self-propelled manner; at least one track inspection device, each track inspection device disposed on the track inspection platform and configured to produce electronic inspection data relating to at least one condition of the railroad in conjunction with operation of the track inspection vehicle to perform a railroad inspection task; a track inspection controller disposed on the track inspection platform and in operative communication with the vehicle control system and the at least one track inspection device, wherein the track inspection controller is configured to control one or more track inspection device to selectively or continuously produce the corresponding electronic inspection data in conjunction with performance of the railroad inspection task; and a communication interface disposed on the track inspection platform in operative communication with at least one of the vehicle control system and the track inspection controller, wherein the communication interface is configured to permit communication with the remote control unit; wherein the remote control unit is configured to operate and control the track inspection vehicle for at least a portion of the railroad inspection task based at least in part on control signals exchanged with the track inspection vehicle via the vehicle communication interface; wherein at least one of the vehicle control system and the track inspection controller are configured to operate in response to the control signals exchanged with the remote control unit for at least a portion of the railroad inspection task. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for inspecting track in a railroad, comprising:
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positioning a track inspection platform on a railroad formed by at least two tracks; selectively and adjustably operating and controlling the track inspection platform using a propulsion system and a vehicle control system to traverse the railroad in a self-propelled manner; producing electronic inspection data via at least one track inspection device, the electronic inspection data relating to at least one condition of the railroad in conjunction with operation of the track inspection platform to perform a railroad inspection task; and controlling one or more track inspection device via a track inspection controller to selectively or continuously produce the corresponding electronic inspection data in conjunction with performance of the railroad inspection task. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification