An imaging apparatus is mounted on a moving object and configured to capture an image while moving along a moving direction of the moving object. The imaging apparatus includes a sensor unit including a sensor substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, and a main unit including a main substrate on which an electronic component configured to process an output signal from the sensor substrate is mounted. The imaging apparatus further includes a heat dissipation fin configured to dissipate heat generated in at least one of the sensor unit and the main unit. The heat dissipation fin is provided in a direction substantially parallel to the moving direction.

A method for analyzing one or more conditions of a transportation pathway includes obtaining, using an imaging device of an inspection system, image data reproducible as a plurality of images of the transportation pathway, each of the plurality of images being reproducible as an image of a portion of the transportation pathway, each portion of the transportation pathway having an associated location along a length of the transportation pathway, analyzing, using one or more processors of the inspection system, the image data to determine a first plurality of metrics indicative of a condition of the transportation pathway at each of the associated locations, and generating a first graph, using the determined first plurality of metrics, that is indicative of the condition of the transportation pathway at each of the associated locations.

A deployable measurement system for analyzing a rail of a railroad track includes a housing, a reflecting assembly coupled to the housing, a movement assembly coupled to the housing, and an optical measurement system disposed within the housing. Both the housing and the reflecting assembly are moveable between a stored position and a deployed position. The movement assembly includes a deployment assembly that moves the reflecting assembly from the stored position to the deployed position, and a retraction assembly that moves the reflecting assembly from the deployed position to the stored position. The optical measurement system emits and receives light. The reflecting assembly reflects the emitted light toward the rail. The reflecting assembly reflects light reflected off of the rail toward the optical measurement system. The light received by the optical measurement system is used to measure parameters related to the rail.

A deployable measurement system for analyzing a rail of a railroad track includes a housing, a reflecting assembly coupled to the housing, a movement assembly coupled to the housing, and an optical measurement system disposed within the housing. Both the housing and the reflecting assembly are moveable between a stored position and a deployed position. The movement assembly includes a deployment assembly that moves the reflecting assembly from the stored position to the deployed position, and a retraction assembly that moves the reflecting assembly from the deployed position to the stored position. The optical measurement system emits and receives light. The reflecting assembly reflects the emitted light toward the rail. The reflecting assembly reflects light reflected off of the rail toward the optical measurement system. The light received by the optical measurement system is used to measure parameters related to the rail.

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.

The invention relates to a bridge exciter for inducing vibrations in railway or roadway bridges, which comprises a servo-hydraulic actuator connected to a wagon designed to transport the same over tracks or a road. The actuator generates a force by moving a variable-weight reaction mass guided by linear bearings. It comprises hydraulic equipment that enables direct transmission of the vibrations to the infrastructure, independent of the rolling gear of the wagon or the rubber-tired vehicle, via false wheels. The movement of the actuator piston is controlled by a computer allowing the actuator to apply general forces on a bridge or roadway that do not exceed the maximum acceptable displacement of the piston: harmonic, impulsive, and transient forces. The equipment is provided with the necessary load control elements.

Methods and systems for filtering a trigger signal from an encoder for triggering an image capturing device. In embodiments, a trigger signal may be received as an input signal from an encoder including a sequence of pulses for triggering the image capturing device. In embodiments, an average pulse frequency of the trigger signal over a period of time may be determined based on sampling a number of pulses in the trigger signal over the period of time, and frequency restrictions may be applied to the average pulse frequency to generate a trigger frequency. In embodiments, an output frequency may be determined based on the trigger frequency, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal having a frequency based on the output frequency may be determined for triggering the image capturing device.

Methods and systems for filtering a trigger signal from an encoder for triggering an image capturing device. In embodiments, a trigger signal may be received as an input signal from an encoder including a sequence of pulses for triggering the image capturing device. In embodiments, an average pulse frequency of the trigger signal over a period of time may be determined based on sampling a number of pulses in the trigger signal over the period of time, and frequency restrictions may be applied to the average pulse frequency to generate a trigger frequency. In embodiments, an output frequency may be determined based on the trigger frequency, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal having a frequency based on the output frequency may be determined for triggering the image capturing device.

A system and method for controlling a vehicle system determine one or more of a route parameter of a route on which the vehicle system is moving or a vehicle parameter of the vehicle system. The system and method also determine whether a ratio of a lateral force exerted by one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route to a vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route increases to a value exceeding a designated threshold as a result of the one or more route parameter of vehicle parameter that is determined. The ratio of the lateral force to the vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route is reduced to a value less than the designated threshold by changing an operation of the vehicle system.

A system and method for controlling a vehicle system determine one or more of a route parameter of a route on which the vehicle system is moving or a vehicle parameter of the vehicle system. The system and method also determine whether a ratio of a lateral force exerted by one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route to a vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route increases to a value exceeding a designated threshold as a result of the one or more route parameter of vehicle parameter that is determined. The ratio of the lateral force to the vertical force exerted by the one or more wheels of the vehicle system on the route is reduced to a value less than the designated threshold by changing an operation of the vehicle system.