Method and apparatus for noncontact relative rail displacement, track modulus and stiffness measurement by a moving rail vehicle
US7403296B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61K9/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An on-board, noncontact measurement system and method is disclosed for measuring track quality, vertical track stiffness and vertical track modulus for a portion of track underlying the rail vehicle. The system comprises first and second optical emitters mounted to the vehicle and configured to emit beams of light that are detectable on the underlying surface; a camera mounted to the vehicle for recording the distance between the beams of light as the vehicle travels along the surface, a mechanism for measuring the distance between the beams of light for a particular portion of the surface; and a mechanism for determining the vertical track stiffness or vertical track modulus for a particular portion of the track.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.