Apparatus and method to capture continuous high resolution images of a moving train undercarriage

Abstract

A container that will house components of the device will be mounted to railroad ties to permit the user of this device to gather high resolution images of the undercarriage of a moving train car as it passes over a container that houses certain components of the system. The speed of the camera shutter will be dictated by the software that will work in conjunction with a linear speed detection device. The gathered images can be reassembled and forwarded to a remote location. The software provides an alarm in the event of a present danger.

Claims

1. An apparatus to capture continuous high resolution images of a moving train undercarriage that is comprised of: a. a container; wherein the container is a predetermined configuration; wherein the container houses components; said components include a camera, a mirror, illumination means, anti-glare glass and a controller; b. a linear speed detection device; wherein the linear speed detection device measures the speed of the train; wherein the linear speed detection device is further comprised of a plurality of sensors; wherein the plurality of the sensors will calculate the speed of a train; wherein the plurality of sensors are secured to a bar; wherein a plurality of bars are used; said plurality of bars are secured to a railroad track; wherein each individual sensor is encased in a protective casing; c. a controller for the speed detection device; wherein the controller for the speed detection device gathers the input from the speed sensor device; d. a camera; wherein the camera is linked to the controller for the speed sensor device; wherein the camera is capable of taking high resolution images; wherein the camera will operate in a variety of lighting conditions; wherein the frame rate of the camera can be modified; e. a mirror; wherein a mirror is provided to permit the gathering of the high resolution images; wherein the mirror is positioned to permit the camera to take an image through a slit; wherein the slit permits the capture of an image; f. lighting means; wherein the lighting means is provided in the container; wherein said lighting means is adjustable; wherein the direction of said lighting means can be changed; wherein the intensity of the lighting means can be changed; g. software; wherein the software controls the activation and deactivation of a system that includes software to control the speed at which the camera captures images; software to control the direction of the lighting; software to control the intensity of the lighting; software to control the frame rate of the camera; h. a controller for the container components; wherein the controller operates the components in the container; i. an alarm; wherein the alarm alerts personnel at a remote location using presets in the software; j. anti-glare glass; wherein the anti-glare glass helps to prevent light from entering the interior of the container; wherein said anti-glare glass helps to prevent light from diminishing the quality of images captured by the camera.

2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the camera is capable of capturing images in dim lighting.

3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the camera is capable of capturing images in low lighting conditions.

4. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the camera is capturing images in darkness.

5. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the software captures a predetermined amount of images at a preset point.

6. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the slit is between 1-5 pixels in width.

7. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the system is activated using presets in the software.

8. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the placement of the sensor is placed on the exterior of the railroad track.

9. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the speed of the train is calculated within a fraction of a mile per hour.

10. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the sensors are inductive sensors.

11. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the system is deactivated using presets in the software.

12. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the placement of the sensor is placed on the interior of the railroad track.

13. A method to capture continuous high resolution images of an undercarriage of a train that is comprised of: a. Determining the real time variable linear speed of the train with a plurality of linear speed devices; b. a means of activation of a set of components of a system; wherein the means of activation is controlled by software; wherein the means of activation is controlled using predetermined presets; wherein the means of activation is turned off using predetermined presets; c. Reporting the real time speed from the linear speed device to a controller; d. Reporting the real time speed from the controller to a high resolution line scan camera; e. Using the reported real time speed of the train to capture a plurality of high definition images of the train's undercarriage; wherein the software captures multiple image perspectives of the undercarriage of the train; f. Reporting the series of multiple image perspectives high definition images to the controller; wherein the multiple image perspectives are reassembled to form a composite image of a portion of a railcar; g. Reporting the series of high definition images from the Software to a remote location for viewing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a view of the components of this device within the container.

(2) FIG. 2 is a representation of the container mounted on the railroad ties.

(3) FIG. 3 is a representation of the container as a train rolls over the container.

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic of the components of the components in the container.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of the linear speed detection device depicting the rail and the sensor.

(6) FIG. 6 is a top exploded view of the linear speed detection device.

(7) FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the sensor component.

(8) FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the sensor attached to the rail.

(9) FIG. 9 is an in-use view of the linear speed detection device.

(10) FIG. 10 is a front view of the linear speed detection device attached to the rail and a depiction of the train wheel.

(11) FIG. 11 is a top view of the linear speed detection device installed on the tracks.

(12) FIG. 12 is a schematic of the components of the linear speed detection device.

NUMBERING REFERENCE

(13) 1 Railroad tracks 2 Railroad ties 5 Container 10 Camera 15 Mirror 20 Means of lighting 25 Anti-glare glass 30 Slit 35 Controller for container components 40 Software 45 Image transfer 75 Magnets 80 Sensor 85 Speed Sensor Casing 90 Speed Sensor Stabilizer 95 Cover 100 Screws to Attach Cover 110 Speed Sensor Device 115 Controller for the speed sensor device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(14) The modern train moves along a set of parallel railroad tracks 1 with a locomotive and a series of cars attached to the locomotive. Beneath the tracks 1 are a plurality of the railroad ties 2 that rest perpendicular to the railroad tracks and support the railroad tracks. This system of train travel has existed from the beginning of train travel. Because trains are typically loud and tend to travel throughout the night, trains often move in very remote locations.

(15) Because trains are also large cumbersome structures it is important to be able to periodically inspect the connections between cars as well as the general condition of the undercarriage of the train. The train cars are typically assembled using a set of knuckles and hasps that connect the cars. With this type of system the cars can be disconnected if desired. It is imperative that the integrity of the connections means (knuckles and hasps) and the train's undercarriage be inspected periodically. The failure of the connection means may lead to the derailment of a train with its attendant costs.

(16) In the prior art the train would need to be stopped in order to allow humans to visually inspect the undercarriage for defects. This is cumbersome and results in delays in train travel and moving goods and people from location to location.

(17) This system incorporates a series of components that will allow the undercarriage of a train to be inspected periodically without the need to stop the train for a visual inspection. One of the parts of this application measures the speed of the train while the other operates a camera to take detailed pictures of the undercarriage of the train.

(18) A container 5 with some of the components of this device is placed between to the ties 2 of a railroad track 1 and is designed to be portable; the container 5 may also be buried to prevent injury to the individual components that are contained within the container 5. The train will move on the railroad tracks 1, which are perpendicular to the ties 2. As the train cars move over the container 5 a series of high resolution photographs are taken of the train's undercarriage.

(19) The system is turned on using a predetermined activation means (not depicted) in the software that will detect the presence of a train. The system will remain active as long as it is required to capture the images and the system will automatically turn the system off using a preset in the software 40 for that purpose. During the normal operation of this device the components of the system are not operational until the presence of a train is detected by the activation means. There are many different types of activation means, such as the use of a laser, but no particular activation means is being claimed in this application.

(20) A plurality of inductive sensors 80 are placed at predetermined locations on a railroad track 1. The sensors are placed a foot apart and are encased in a protective casing 85 and a cover 95 with a means to open 100 the sensor such as a screw. The plurality of sensors are attached to a bar that is used for that purpose. Additionally the shape of the sensor should also be designed so that the sensor is attached to the track in order to most closely conform to the shape of the track such as depicted in FIG. 8; for that purpose a speed sensor stabilizer 90 that conforms roughly to the surface of the railroad track is used for additional stability.

(21) The plurality of sensors are attached to the railroad tracks 1 using a plurality of magnets 75. The sensor is positioned so that when the railroad wheel passes over the inductive sensor, the sensor 80 will detect the presence of the wheel and activate the system.

(22) Measurements from the plurality of sensors will enable the calculation of the speed of the train within a fraction of a mile per hour. The exactness of the speed of the moving train is critical because this speed calculation controls the speed of the camera in this application. It is imperative that the speed be accurately calculated so that the speed of the camera can be appropriately controlled and quality images can be produced.

(23) The placement of the individual sensor in relation to the train wheel should be no more than 25 millimeters from the surface of the train wheel in order to ensure that the sensor detects the presence of the train wheel.

(24) As each train wheel passes over the sensor 80 the data from the speed sensor device 110 will then be transmitted to a controller for the linear speed detection device or speed sensor device 115 so that an accurate measurement of the speed of the train can be calculated. A plurality of sensors 80, which are equally spaced on the bar 95 to insure the uniform spacing of the sensors, is used in order to be able to calculate the speed within a fraction of a mile per hour. The speed of the train which is calculated using associated software and a controller for the speed sensor device 115 to transmit the information to the camera 10 determines the frame speed of the camera.

(25) Although a plurality of sensors are used and placed on the bar, an individual sensor can be replaced or serviced if needed. It is anticipated that there will be four or five sensors on the bar and each sensor will be placed roughly one foot apart in order to calculate the exact speed of the train and therefore produce the best quality images.

(26) Within the container 5 that is either buried or placed between the railroad tracks 1 such as depicted in FIG. 1 are the following components: camera 10, mirror 15, lighting means 20, a slit 30, which is in the range of 1-5 pixels wide and is provided so that the images of the undercarriage of a train car can be gathered and controller 35 for the container components. The camera images will be collected through the slit as the image of the undercarriage is reflected off the mirror 15 that is in the container 5. In order to insure a clear image, a piece of anti-glare glass 25 is placed over the slit 30 and the lighting around the area is carefully monitored and controlled.

(27) The camera 10 is capable of capturing high resolution images at rapid speeds in a variety of lighting or environmental conditions to include low lighting, dim lighting, and complete darkness. Additionally the speed of the camera frame speed is controlled and adjusted in real time by the software from data that is collected from the linear speed detection device 60 and the controller for the speed detection device 115 for the speed detection device 110 that collects the speed data and then adjusts the frame speed of the camera 10.

(28) The mirror 15 is provided to ensure that the image of the undercarriage of the train car is clearly represented and to prevent damage to the camera within the container 5. As the trains roll over the container 5, a series of fragmented images are taken of the undercarriage of the train. These images are in the range of 1-5 pixels, with a preferential pixel width of 2 pixels. Each of the images are collected individually and sent to a server. The individual images that are captured are then reassembled to present a clear picture of the train undercarriage.

(29) At a certain preset, probably the length of a train car, in the software control the set points at which images are reassembled into a picture of the individual train car. The individual train cars can then be reassembled by the software into a complete train and the images transferred 45. The software 40 is likely to have a preset at the individual train car so that the pixels can be reassembled into an individual train car and the view of the entire train once reassembled by the software can then be transferred to a remote location and then reassembled and viewed. The software will allow the images of the entire train to be forwarded to a remote location, if needed.

(30) The lighting means 20 can be adjusted both in terms of intensity and direction to obtain the best possible images as the area above the slit 30 is illuminated. The lighting means is necessary to insure an appropriate discernible image can be captured and reproduced. The lighting means 20 is illuminated in such a way that it minimizes the likelihood of shadows covering the inspected areas of the trains undercarriage. Many different types of lighting means may be used but considerations for the lighting means should include the ability to quickly and brightly illuminate the area. The choice of LED lighting is probably an ideal means to illuminate although different means may be used.

(31) Software 40 is provided to control the activation and deactivation of the system, the lighting means including the intensity and direction of the lighting means as well as the image capture and image transfer 45. After the fragmented pictures of the undercarriage of a train car are gathered, the images are reassembled to provide a high resolution image. End points are established by the software to gather a finite amount of information.

(32) The software also provides an alarm (not depicted) in the event that a preset anomaly is detected, such as a foreign object in the undercarriage of the train car or damage to any of the components of the undercarriage including the coupling or knuckle of the train car.

(33) While the description of this invention is set forth in this application, modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.