Device to Capture High Resolution Images of the Undercarriage of a Freight Car

Abstract

A plurality of modules housed in a chassis is secured to the railroad tie to capture high resolution images of the underside of a train car as it passes over the plurality of cameras. These images are important to insure the structural integrity of the parts of the rail car as well as the connection meansa coupler and pinbetween two rail cars. The cameras are configured to capture at a predetermined rate or to operate in sync with the velocity of the train as measured by the Linear Speed Sensor. As the images are taken, the images can be downloaded and sent to a remote location for further analysis.

Claims

1. A device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train, which is comprised of: a plurality of modules; said each module houses a camera lens; wherein the camera lens is positioned at an angle of forty degrees relative to the horizontal plane; said module houses a plurality of LED lights; wherein the plurality of LED lights surrounds the camera lens; said plurality of LED lights are positioned as a ring around the camera lens; a pair of chassis; wherein four modules are placed on each chassis; wherein each chassis is secured to a railroad tie; wherein two of the modules are positioned in a linear arrangement; wherein the pair of chassis are mounted below the height of the railroad track; wherein the module manages the thermal conditions to operate in ambient conditions from 40 C. to 40 C. and dissipate the thermal byproducts of the LED illumination; wherein the optical entrance of the cameras are colinear and permit the capture of images in the direction of travel of the train; processing software; wherein the processing software captures the images from the cameras; wherein the chassis is further comprised of a left outer module, left inner module, right inner module and right outer module; wherein the respective Left Outer and Right Inner Modules optical axis are parallel to each other and oriented twenty-five degrees relative to the centerline of the chassis; wherein the respective Left Inner and Right Outer Modules optical axis are parallel to each other and oriented twenty-five degrees relative to the centerline of the chassis; wherein the Chassis is secured to a rail tie in between the rail; wherein the pair of Chassis are located with the modules facing each other within the same railroad track; wherein the configuration of Chassis is protected by metal shields installed on the edges opposite of the modules.

2. The device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train as described in claim 1 wherein the shutter speed of the camera is set at a predetermined rate.

3. The device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train as described in claim 1 wherein the shutter speed of the camera is established by the speed of the train.

4. The device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train as described in claim 1 wherein the range of the camera angle relative to the horizontal plane is between thirty-five and forty-five degrees.

5. The device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train as described in claim 1 wherein the device can tolerate all environmental conditions.

6. The device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train as described in claim 1 wherein the captured images are transmitted to processing software.

7. The device to capture high resolution images of the F-pin and F-pin retaining cage and other features on the underside of a freight train as described in claim 1 wherein the processing software transmits the images to a remote location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Module Camera and LED

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of the Module

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top view of the Chassis denoting the chassis center line and relative positions of the modules relative to the chassis center line

[0023] FIG. 4 is an installed view of the device installed on the railroad track

[0024] FIG. 5 is an in-use view of the device on the track with a train car passing over the device

[0025] FIG. 6 is a top view of the train car depicting the position of the F-pin

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the specific F-pin and retaining cage

NUMBERING REFERENCES

[0027] 5 Camera [0028] 10 LED lights [0029] 15 Module [0030] 20 Chassis [0031] 21 Left Outer Module [0032] 22 Left Inner Module [0033] 23 Right Inner Module [0034] 24 Right Outer Module [0035] 25 Shields [0036] 30 Rails [0037] 50 Freight Car [0038] 55 Coupler [0039] 60 Retaining Cage [0040] 65 F Pin [0041] 70 Wheel [0042] 75 Retaining Pin

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0043] This device uses a configuration of Cameras 5 and LEDs 10 identified as a Module 15. A certain predetermined number of LED lights 10 are arranged in a ring configuration around the Camera 5 to produce sufficient light for the camera 5 to take high resolution images while the train is at full speed, particularly to capture the images of the F-pin 65 and its retaining cage 60 and retaining pin 75. The LEDs 10 configuration is arranged to be parallel with the Camera lens to provide broad even light across the target and reduce shadows at the same time. The importance of the integrity of the F-pin 65 and its retaining cage 60 and retaining pin 75 cannot be overstated. The F-pin 65 is responsible for keeping the individual train cars connected; if the retaining cage 60 and retaining pin 75 fall from the train the train cars 50 will become disconnected. The F-pin 65 and its supporting structure are not being claimed as part of this device.

[0044] These Cameras 5 operate at a predetermined exposure to take high resolution images of the underside of the individual freight cars while traveling at full speed. The cameras 5 can be configured to operate at a pre-determined frame or shutter speed rate or they can be configured to be triggered externally to capture the appropriate image in what is commonly referred to as a free run status.

[0045] The Module 15 is engineered to support the elevation pose, environmental, and connection requirements of the system. Primarily the Module 15 is designed to support the Camera 5 pose elevation angle of 40 (forty degrees) relative to the horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 2; the range of angle may be between 35 and 45 degrees. At the Camera 5 pose elevation the Module 15 is engineered to maintain an overall height less than the height of the rail to prevent damage to the system. The Module 15 supports internal and external thermal management to maintain proper operating temperature of the Camera 5 in ambient conditions from 40 C. to 40 C. Additional environmental requirements are considered in material selections and to ensure that water or moisture ingress is mitigated. The Module integrates electrical and control cables to the Camera 5 and LEDs 10 through appropriately sized cables penetrating the Module 15 through cable glands.

[0046] There are four Modules 15 mounted to a Chassis 20 using standard threaded fasteners. The Modules 15 are identified on the Chassis 20 by location from chassis centerline. FIG. 3 depicts the Chassis 20 in a top view with the Modules 15 facing down describing Left and Right with the position relative to centerline. In this orientation the Modules 15 are identified as Left Outer Module 21, Left Inner Module 22, Right Inner Module 23, and Right Outer Module 24.

[0047] In addition, FIG. 3 depicts the Modules 15 position so the optical entrance of each Camera 5 is co-linear with the adjacent Module 15. The modules are oriented on the Chassis 20 such that each Module 15 is at an angle of 25 relative to the Chassis centerline as depicted in FIG. 3. The Left Outer Module 21 and Right Inner Module 23 are oriented parallel to each other with the 25 angle directed to the Right side of FIG. 3. The Left Inner Module 22 and the Right Outer Module 24 are oriented parallel to each other with the 25 angle directed to the Left Side of FIG. 3.

[0048] A Chassis 20 is mounted to a single rail tie. The Chassis 20 is secured to the rail tie using a configuration of chain tie downs which secure under the rail tie and are tightened using a threaded rod. Additionally, each chassis can be attached with lag bolts into wooden rail ties or with machined bolts into a metal hollow tie with matching threaded holes.

[0049] A typical installation will include a total of two Chassis 20 to be installed on the same track, See FIG. 4. The Chassis 20 are oriented to have the Modules 15 facing each other. Cables are run to the rear of each Chassis 20 to control panels mounted outside the track, within 50 feet of the Chassis 20. A Shield 25 is installed to cover the rear cable access and provide additional protection to the Chassis 20. An additional deflector can be added for additional protection.

[0050] The variety of freight rail cars may present different equipment that may occlude the F-pin 65 and F-pin retaining cage 60 from any one camera 5 image; the retaining cage 60 is kept in position by the retaining pin 75. The configuration described above allows multiple angles to ensure the F-pin 65 and F-pin retaining cage 60 and retaining pin 75 are appropriately imaged and able to be identified. In addition, each Camera 5 is controlled in such a manner to allow multiple discrete images to be captured. The rate of image capture can be configured to be predetermined or operate in sync with the velocity of the train as measured by the Linear Speed Sensor software, which is software that is used specifically to determine the speed of the train. The cameras capture the images and transmit the images to processing software that can gather the images and transmit the images to a remote location.

[0051] The components of this system are designed to withstand extreme environmental condition including a temperature range between negative 40 degrees Celsius and positive 40 degrees Celsius.

[0052] The captured images from each Camera 5 are transmitted via a wired connection to a series of acquisition devices. The acquisition devices and associated processing software log and integrate the images into a storage medium for future access and review.