Surface material and condition sensing system
US5619193A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/028
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and apparatus for detecting and evaluating surface conditions on a road surface from a moving vehicle as disclosed. The system comprises a sensor means for detecting the presence of deposited material on a road surface, detecting means for determining one or more characteristics of the material such as its freezing temperature, process means for converting a detected signal and display means for displaying the condition of the road surface. A first embodiment of the invention includes a collection device for collecting a sample of the surface materials and one or more sensors to detect the freezing point of the material. A second embodiment includes a collection chamber which can be isolated and its contents frozen so that the freeze temperature may be obtained irrespective of knowing the composition of the material. A third embodiment of the present invention includes a remote sensing apparatus which utilizes electromagnetic radiation to sense actual surface material conditions, temperatures, and composition. This information is then processed through a computer in order to determine, preferably while the vehicle is in motion, those additional steps necessary to apply add…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.