Method and system for calibrating laser profiling systems

• US 8,711,222 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Loram Technologies Incorporated (Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.)
• Inventors: Aaron, Charles W., Belcher, Jeb E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelley, Christopher S
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEASLEY, DEIRDRE L
• Application Number:
  US13/095,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20120274768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/187, 348/153
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/08 Measuring installations for surveying permanent way applications of measuring apparatus or devices for track building purposes E01B35/00; measuring techniques G01
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2504 Calibration devices

Abstract

A laser profiling calibration system includes a light emitting device, a light-reflecting target, and an optical receiver. The light emitting device is configured to project a light and define a light plane. The light-reflecting target is configured to be positioned at multiple positions within the light plane, and has a plurality of non-reflective regions. The optical receiver is oriented to receive light reflected from the target, and further configured to capture a plurality of images, comprising at least one image at each of the target'"'"'s multiple positions. The system is configured to use the plurality of images to calibrate the optical receiver within the light plane.

Claims

1. An optical railroad track inspection system, comprising:

at least one downwardly oriented laser device, attachable to a rail vehicle, configured to project a laser defining a substantially vertical laser plane;

a target connected to the rail vehicle, wherein the target may be positioned at various vertical positions with respect to the rail vehicle and within the laser plane, the target being reflective and having a plurality of non-reflective regions spaced at known intervals;

an optical receiver, attachable to the rail vehicle and oriented to receive laser light reflected from the target, configured to capture a plurality of images, comprising at least one image at each of the target'"'"'s multiple positions; and

the inspection system configured to use the plurality of images to calibrate the optical receiver within the laser plane.

2. The optical railroad track inspection system of claim 1, wherein the laser is a line-generating laser.

3. The optical railroad track inspection system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-reflective regions comprise a series of gaps defined by sides of adjacent, disconnected upstanding protrusions of the target.

4. The optical railroad track inspection system of claim 3, wherein the protrusions and gaps alternate in a regular linear pattern.

5. The optical railroad track inspection system of claim 3, wherein the series of protrusions and gaps includes a center-most protrusion of the target, said center-most protrusion comprising a unique marker to facilitate identification of the target'"'"'s center.

6. The optical railroad track inspection system of claim 1, the target being separate from a railroad track.