WAYSIDE ROLLING STOCK INSPECTION
First Claim
1. A system for inspecting a component of a rail vehicle, the system comprising:
- a housing attached to a set of rails on which the rail vehicle is traveling, wherein the housing conforms to standard width, height, and load bearing requirements for a railroad tie;
a set of sensing devices attached to the housing, each sensing device configured to acquire evaluation data on the component of the rail vehicle; and
a computing device configured to evaluate a condition of the component using the evaluation data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Inspection of rolling stock (e.g., rail vehicles) traveling along a set of rails is performed using devices that are placed in a housing that is attached to the set of rails. The housing conforms to standard width, height, and load bearing requirements for a railroad tie. As such, the housing can be readily installed and allows for the continued use of standard railroad maintenance equipment. One or more sensing devices are attached to the housing and acquire evaluation data on component(s) of the rail vehicle, such as the wheels. A computing device can evaluate a condition of the component(s) using the evaluation data.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for inspecting a component of a rail vehicle, the system comprising:
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a housing attached to a set of rails on which the rail vehicle is traveling, wherein the housing conforms to standard width, height, and load bearing requirements for a railroad tie; a set of sensing devices attached to the housing, each sensing device configured to acquire evaluation data on the component of the rail vehicle; and a computing device configured to evaluate a condition of the component using the evaluation data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for acquiring evaluation data on a component of a rail vehicle, the system comprising:
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a first housing attached to a set of rails on which the rail vehicle is traveling, wherein the first housing conforms to standard width, height, and load bearing requirements for a railroad tie; a sensing device attached to the first housing, the sensing device configured to acquire evaluation data on the component of the rail vehicle; a second housing attached to the set of rails, wherein the second housing conforms to standard width, height, and load bearing requirements for a railroad tie; and an emitting device attached to the second housing, wherein the emitting device is configured to emit radiation that is captured by the sensing device attached to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for inspecting a component of a rail vehicle, the system comprising:
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a first housing attached to a set of rails on which the rail vehicle is traveling, wherein the first housing conforms to standard width, height, and load bearing requirements for a railroad tie; a first bay attached to a top surface of the first housing, wherein the first bay includes an opening that faces one of the set of rails; and a first sensing device attached to at least one of;
the first housing or the first bay using a means for isolating the first sensing device from vibration experienced by the first housing, the first sensing device configured to acquire evaluation data on the component of the rail vehicle based on radiation that passes through the opening on the first bay;a vibration sensing device located on the housing directly below one of the set of rails, and configured to acquire evaluation data on the component of the rail vehicle based on vibration caused by the rail vehicle; and a computing device configured to evaluate a condition of the component using the evaluation data acquired by the first sensing device and the vibration sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification