A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
G01D 5/245 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means generating pulses or pulse trains using a variable number of pulses in a train
G01S 19/48 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
A 3D track assessment apparatus and method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.
An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The LiDAR sensors are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
A 3D track assessment apparatus and method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.
An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or vehicle trains
H04N 5/232 - Devices for controlling television cameras, e.g. remote control
G06T 7/73 - Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras using feature-based methods
6.
Debris deflection and removal method for an apparatus and method for gathering data from sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a railway track
A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
G01D 5/245 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means generating pulses or pulse trains using a variable number of pulses in a train
A broken wheel detection system for detecting broken wheels on rail vehicles even when such vehicles are moving at a high rate of speed by determining the positions, lengths, or orientations of structured light lines projected against passing wheels.
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
G01B 11/245 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers
B61L 9/04 - Illumination specially adapted for points, form signals, or gates electric
8.
System and method for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path
An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points and wherein neither scan plane intersects a main body of any rail car adjoined to a rear end of the railroad corridor assessment platform. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.
An autonomous railway track assessment apparatus includes: a railway track assessment platform including a boxcar including an enclosed space formed therein; one or more power sources located on the boxcar; a controller; a first sensor assembly in electronic communication with the controller oriented to capture data from the railway track; an air handling system located on the rail car, the air handling system including an air blower and a heater/chiller; a set of air ducts in fluid communication with the air handling system and the first sensor assembly for supplying heated or cooled blown air from the air from the handling system to the first sensor assembly. Data from the railway track is autonomously collected by the first sensor assembly controlled by the controller and such data is stored on the data storage device.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 25/06 - Indicating or recording the setting of track apparatus, e.g. of points, of signals
10.
Vertical manhole apparatus and method for providing access to leachate collection pipes in a landfill
A vertical manhole apparatus for use in a waste facility to provide access to one or more leachate collection pipe access points. The vertical manhole is stabilized using stabilizing features extending out from a vertical pipe of the vertical manhole apparatus.
A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains
G01S 19/48 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
G01D 5/245 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means generating pulses or pulse trains using a variable number of pulses in a train
A method of increasing the efficiency of the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) by using a computer algorithm to generate an input file with far fewer flight tracks than would normally be required to obtain the same AEDT results using the same data pool.
A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.
A 3D track assessment method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
G01D 5/245 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means generating pulses or pulse trains using a variable number of pulses in a train
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
16.
Wind turbine foundation and method of constructing a wind turbine foundation
A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.
A system and method for inspecting a railway track a calculating plate cut and/or rail seat abrasion (RSA) based on rail head elevation and crosstie surface elevation measurements and an estimate of rail height.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
B61L 5/00 - Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
G01B 11/245 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers
B61L 9/04 - Illumination specially adapted for points, form signals, or gates electric
19.
Apparatus and method for gathering data from sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a railway track
A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
G01D 5/245 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means generating pulses or pulse trains using a variable number of pulses in a train
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
20.
Apparatus and method for calculating wooden crosstie plate cut measurements and rail seat abrasion measurements based on rail head height
A system and method for inspecting a railway track. The system preferably includes: a processor; at least one sensor oriented to capture data of the railway track; a data storage device in electronic communication with the processor; and computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium in communication with the processor operable to: determine an elevation of a surface of a rail head of a rail located on the railway track based on a distance to the rail head from the at least one sensor, determine an elevation of a surface of a crosstie of the railway track based on a distance to a top surface of the crosstie from the at least one sensor, estimate a total rail height and underlying rail support, and calculate a crosstie wear value based on the determined rail head surface elevation, crosstie surface elevation, and estimated total rail height and underlying rail support.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61K 9/10 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way for detecting cracks in rails or welds thereof
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
H05B 47/105 - Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters
G01B 11/30 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
B61L 15/00 - Indicators provided on the vehicle or vehicle train for signalling purposes
A 3D track assessment method is disclosed for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
A 3D track assessment method is disclosed for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
A 3D track assessment method is disclosed for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
A 3D track assessment method is disclosed for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
A vertical manhole apparatus for use in a waste facility to provide access to one or more leachate collection pipe access points. The vertical manhole is stabilized using stabilizing features extending out from a vertical pipe of the vertical manhole apparatus.
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
G01B 11/245 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers
A system and method for adjusting light emitter output for a railway track inspection system based on data feedback from one or more sensors. The system includes: a power source; a light emitting apparatus emitting light energy toward a railway track; a 3D sensor acquiring three-dimensional data of the railway track; a shaft encoder emitting pulses at a rate that corresponds to a speed of the railway track vehicle; and an algorithm operable on processor to: analyze the three-dimensional data from the 3D sensor; receive pulses from the shaft encoder; and adjust a light emitter control output value based on the analyzed three-dimensional data and the received pulses. A controller in communication with the processor is configured to control the light intensity of the light emitting apparatus in response to the light emitter control output value.
G01B 11/30 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
B61L 15/00 - Indicators provided on the vehicle or vehicle train for signalling purposes
29.
Protective shroud for enveloping light from a light emitter for mapping of a railway track
A protective shroud for enveloping light radiating from a light emitter used with a sensor system for mapping of a railway track. The protective shroud includes: a rigid body having a frame and at least one opaque panel connected to the frame, the rigid body defining at least a first portion of a light radiation zone; and a skirt formed of high density fibers extending from adjacent a bottom edge of the at least one opaque panel to adjacent a ground surface.
A system and method for inspecting a railway track bed using a plurality of sensors that are synchronized for rapid interrogation of a railway track bed while the sensors are in motion at a high rate of speed.
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01B 21/04 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring length, width, or thickness by measuring coordinates of points
G01B 11/245 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B60Q 1/26 - Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01B 11/30 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
G01N 21/25 - Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
A 3D track assessment system for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.
A system and method for inspecting a railway track bed using a plurality of sensors that are synchronized for rapid interrogation of a railway track bed while the sensors are in motion at a high rate of speed.
G01J 3/30 - Measuring the intensity of spectral lines directly on the spectrum itself
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or vehicle trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01B 21/04 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring length, width, or thickness by measuring coordinates of points
G01B 11/245 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
G01B 11/30 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
B61K 9/00 - Railway vehicle profile gauges; Detecting or indicating overheating of components; Apparatus on locomotives or cars to indicate bad track sections; General design of track recording vehicles
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
36.
Protective shroud for enveloping light from a light emitter for mapping of a railway track
A protective shroud is provided for enveloping light radiating from a light emitter used with a sensor system for mapping of a railway track. The protective shroud includes: a rigid body having a frame and at least one opaque panel connected to the frame, the rigid body defining at least a first portion of a light radiation zone; a skirt formed of high density fibers extending from adjacent a bottom edge of the at least one opaque panel to adjacent a ground surface; at least one light emitter connected to the rigid body adjacent a top edge of the rigid body to emit light radiation into the light radiation zone; and at least one sensor connected to the rigid body adjacent the top edge of the rigid body to sense the light emitted from the at least one light emitter.
B61K 9/00 - Railway vehicle profile gauges; Detecting or indicating overheating of components; Apparatus on locomotives or cars to indicate bad track sections; General design of track recording vehicles
B61K 13/00 - Other auxiliaries or accessories for railways
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
37.
Method of chemical treatment of soils containing hazardous substances susceptible to nucleophillic attack
A method for remediating hazardous materials susceptible to nucleophillic attack is disclosed wherein sodium hydroxide is applied to a treatment zone in situ for raising the pH of the treatment zone to at least about 12.5 so that alkaline hydrolysis effectively breaks down the hazardous substance by replacing a leaving group with a nucleophile. The method is well suited for in situ use in the vadose zone to treat contaminated soil and groundwater.
patents
