Object detection system and method for railways
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for detecting the presence of an object on a portion of a railroad track, the system comprising:
- means for performing an optical scan of a predetermined length of railroad track;
means for sensing from the scanning means a presence of an object along the predetermined length of track;
means for determining a position of the sensed object from the scanning and sensing means; and
means for providing a signal indicative of the presence and position of the sensed object.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electro-optical detection system and method is provided for detecting the presence of an object on a portion of a railroad track. The system includes a scanning laser rangefinder for monitoring a predetermined volume or area over a length of railroad track and for sensing the presence of an object therealong. The position of the sensed object is determined from the scanning and sensing data, and a signal is provided that is indicative of the presence and position of the sensed object. The signal is used by an oncoming train to initiate avoidance measures and thereby prevent an accident.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A system for detecting the presence of an object on a portion of a railroad track, the system comprising:
-
means for performing an optical scan of a predetermined length of railroad track; means for sensing from the scanning means a presence of an object along the predetermined length of track; means for determining a position of the sensed object from the scanning and sensing means; and means for providing a signal indicative of the presence and position of the sensed object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system for detecting the presence of an object on a portion of a railroad track, the system comprising:
-
a pan-tilt platform; a laser rangefinder mounted to the pan-tilt platform for scanning a railroad track over a length of approximately 200 feet, a width of approximately 15 feet, and a height of approximately 5 feet, and for sensing a presence of an object of a two-dimensional size generally greater than 10 inches by 10 inches; a processor comprising; means for driving the pan-tilt platform over a predetermined scanning pattern; means for determining from the rangefinder a position of the sensed object; and means for outputting a signal indicative of the presence and position of the sensed object; and a housing and a heater for protecting the rangefinder and the processor from adverse environmental conditions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A system for detecting the presence of an object on a portion of a railroad track generally adjacent and encompassing a crossing by a roadway, the system comprising:
-
a mirror; means for rotating the mirror over a predetermined angle in a plane generally parallel to ground; a laser rangefinder comprising a laser adapted to emit a beam and mounted so that the beam impinges on the mirror, the rangefinder for scanning a railroad track over a predetermined volume comprising a predetermined length and a predetermined width at a predetermined height, and adapted to sense a presence of an object within a scanning plane of a size generally exceeding a predetermined size; a processor comprising; means for driving the mirror rotating means over a predetermined scanning pattern; means for determining from the rangefinder a position of the sensed object; and means for outputting a signal indicative of the presence and position of the sensed object, for setting a warning signal receivable by an oncoming train; and a housing and a heater for protecting the rangefinder and the processor from adverse environmental conditions. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
-
20. A method for detecting the presence of an object on a portion of a railroad track, the method comprising the steps of:
-
performing a directed-energy scan of a predetermined length of railroad track; sensing from the scan a presence of an object along the predetermined length of track; determining a position of the sensed object from the scanning and sensing steps; and providing a signal indicative of the presence and position of the sensed object. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification