Route monitoring system and method
US10252735B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L23/047
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A monitoring method and system monitor a transmitted current that is injected into conductive components of a route traveled by vehicle systems, monitor a received current that represents a portion of the transmitted current that is conducted through the conductive components of the route, examine changes in the transmitted and/or received current over time to determine when the vehicle systems are on the route between a first location where the transmitted current is injected into the conductive components and a second location where the received current is monitored, and examine the changes in the transmitted and/or received currents. The changes are examined to identify (a) a contaminated portion of a surface on which the route is disposed, (b) a foreign object other than the vehicle systems that is contacting the route, and/or (c) a damaged or broken portion of at least one of the conductive components of the route.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.