×

System and method for inspecting railroad ties

DC CAFC
  • US 9,441,956 B2
  • Filed: 01/19/2015
  • Issued: 09/13/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system for inspecting railroad ties, comprising:

  • a. a rail vehicle, configured for moving along a railroad track in a travel direction;

    b. a light generator, attached to the rail vehicle, oriented to project a beam of light across the railroad track while moving thereon;

    c. an optical receiver, attached to the rail vehicle, oriented to receive at least a portion of the beam of light reflected from the railroad track and configured to generate image data representative of a profile of at least a portion of the railroad track; and

    d. a processor, configured to analyze the image data by applying one or more algorithms configured to;

    i. find boundaries of at least one railroad tie in the railroad track; and

    ii. determine the condition of the at least one railroad tie by;

    a. determining a series of condition metrics of the at least one railroad tie;

    b. applying a weight factor to each condition metric; and

    c. computing a condition grade of the at least one railroad tie based on the weighted condition metrics.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×