Apparatus and method for gathering data from sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a railway track
First Claim
1. A railway track assessment apparatus for gathering, storing, and processing profiles of one or both rails on a railway track while the apparatus travels on a rail vehicle along the railway track, the apparatus comprising:
- i. a processor;
ii. a system controller in communication with the processor;
iii. a data storage device in communication with the processor;
iv. a power source for providing electric power to the track assessment apparatus;
v. a first sensor pod attached adjacent to an undercarriage of the rail vehicle, the first sensor pod comprising;
1. a first 3D sensor in communication with the system controller, the first 3D sensor configured in an orientation at an oblique angle β
relative to a railway track bed surface supporting rails on which the rail vehicle is moving and configured in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the supporting rails to obtain a side view of a first side of a first rail of the railway track and obtain data from the first side of the first rail; and
2. a first structured light generator in communication with the system controller;
vi. an encoder engaged with a wheel of the rail vehicle to transmit pulses to the system controller based on the direction and distance travelled of the rail vehicle;
vii. a GNSS receiver in communication with the processor for providing position data of the railway track assessment apparatus to the processor;
viii. the system controller further comprising a sensor trigger controller; and
ix. computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium in communication with the sensor trigger controller operable to;
1. convert wheel encoder pulses to a desired profile measurement interval; and
2. reference profile scans to geo-spatial coordinates by synchronizing encoder pulses with GNSS receiver position data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
380 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A railway track assessment apparatus for gathering, storing, and processing profiles of one or both rails on a railway track while the apparatus travels on a rail vehicle along the railway track, the apparatus comprising:
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i. a processor; ii. a system controller in communication with the processor; iii. a data storage device in communication with the processor; iv. a power source for providing electric power to the track assessment apparatus; v. a first sensor pod attached adjacent to an undercarriage of the rail vehicle, the first sensor pod comprising; 1. a first 3D sensor in communication with the system controller, the first 3D sensor configured in an orientation at an oblique angle β
relative to a railway track bed surface supporting rails on which the rail vehicle is moving and configured in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the supporting rails to obtain a side view of a first side of a first rail of the railway track and obtain data from the first side of the first rail; and2. a first structured light generator in communication with the system controller; vi. an encoder engaged with a wheel of the rail vehicle to transmit pulses to the system controller based on the direction and distance travelled of the rail vehicle; vii. a GNSS receiver in communication with the processor for providing position data of the railway track assessment apparatus to the processor; viii. the system controller further comprising a sensor trigger controller; and ix. computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium in communication with the sensor trigger controller operable to; 1. convert wheel encoder pulses to a desired profile measurement interval; and 2. reference profile scans to geo-spatial coordinates by synchronizing encoder pulses with GNSS receiver position data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification