System and method for railroad track tie plate orientation
US8082852B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE01B29/32
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A machine for automatically orienting railroad tie plates includes a sensing region having at least one optical sensor adapted to sense a physical feature of a tie plate. An electronic controller is connected to the optical sensor and is disposed to receive a sensor signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate when the tie plate is in the sensing region. The electronic controller further determines an orientation of the tie plate based on the sensor signal, compares it to one or more predetermined or possible orientations, and provides a command to at least one actuator adapted to perform at least one tie plate orientation operation to change the orientation of the tie plate based on the comparison of the orientation of the plate with the predetermined orientation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.