Systems and methods for predictive maintenance of crossings

US9481385B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Michael Fries · Grain Valley, US
• Joseph Forrest Noffsinger · Lee's Summit, US
• Richard Lee Lawson · Melbourne, US
• Aric Albert Weingartner · Lee's Summit, US
• Curtis Doyle Mechling · Jacksonville, US
• Aaron Richard Mitti · Atlanta, US
• Martin Paget · Pomona Park, US
• William Shields · Blue Springs, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 24, 2014
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 18, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R31/58
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for predicting failure of a crossing warning system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an electrical characteristic of a first route when an electric current is injected into the first route. The first route has a crossing intersection with a second route and a crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The electrical characteristic is monitored to detect when a vehicle is approaching the crossing intersection on the first route and to determine when to activate the crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The method also includes identifying one or more changes in the electrical characteristic of the first route, and, based on the one or more changes that are identified, predicting a failure mode of the first route that interferes with detection of the vehicle approaching the crossing intersection.