Method and apparatus for the accurate linear speed measurement of trains

Abstract

The calculation of the speed of a moving train is critical to being able to capture high speed resolution images of the undercarriage of a moving train using a camera in an associated application. The measurement must be extremely accurate and in real time so that an appropriately placed camera can capture images and transmit those images to a remote location.

Claims

1. A device to measure the linear speed of a train, which is comprised of: a. a plurality of sensors; wherein the plurality of the sensors will calculate the speed of a train; wherein the plurality of sensors is secured to a bar; said bar is secured to a railroad track; wherein each individual sensor is encased in a protective casing; b. a plurality of rare earth magnets; wherein the plurality of rare earth magnets is positioned along the exterior of the bar; wherein the plurality of rare earth magnets secures the bar to a rail of a rail road track; c. a controller; wherein the controller is located within the speed sensor casing; wherein the controller transmits the information provided by the plurality of sensors to software; wherein the software uses the information provided by the plurality of sensors to calculate the linear speed of the train; d. a plurality of speed sensor stabilizers; wherein the plurality of speed sensor stabilizers is affixed to the bar.

2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the placement of the plurality of sensors is placed on the interior of the railroad track.

3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the placement of the plurality of sensors is placed on the exterior of the railroad track.

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

5. The device as described in claim 1 wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is an inductive sensor.

6. The device as described in claim 1 wherein a plurality of bars is affixed to both rails of the railroad track.

7. The device as described in claim 1 wherein a predetermined distance is provided between each sensor of the plurality of sensors.

8. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors operates in series.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of the device.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the device.

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sensor component.

(4) FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the sensor attached to the rail.

(5) FIG. 5 is an in-use view of the system.

(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of the system attached to the rail and a depiction of the train wheel.

(7) FIG. 7 is a top view of the system installed on the tracks.

(8) FIG. 8 is a schematic of the system.

NUMBERING REFERENCE

(9) 5Railroad Track 10Railroad Ties 15Magnets 20Sensor 21Speed Sensor Casing 22Speed Sensor Stabilizer 23Cover 24Screws to Attach Cover 25Camera 30Speed Sensor Device 35Controller

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(10) The calculation of the speed of a moving train is important in conjunction with an application to capture images of the underside of a moving train in real time and the ability to transmit clear images to a remote location. The ability to capture these images will increase the efficiency of the inspection of the underside of a train. Without this ability the train would be forced to stop and be manually inspected.

(11) A plurality of inductive sensors 20 are placed at a predetermined location on a railroad track 5. The sensors are placed a foot apart and are encased in a protective casing 21 and a cover 23 with a means to open 24 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. 4; for that purpose a speed sensor stabilizer 22 that conforms roughly to the surface of the railroad track is used.

(12) The plurality of sensors are attached to the railroad tracks 5 using a plurality of magnets 15. The sensor is positioned so that when the railroad wheel passes over the inductive sensor, the sensor 20 will detect the presence of the wheel and 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 the related 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.

(13) 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 insure that the sensor detects the presence of the train wheel.

(14) A plurality of sensors 20 are placed on a bar 23 along the track 5 and as each wheel passes over the sensor 20 the data from the sensors will then be transmitted to a controller 35 so that an accurate measurement of the speed of the train can be calculated. A plurality of sensors 20, which are equally spaced on the bar 23 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 35 to transmit the information to the camera 25 in the associated application dictates the frame speed of the camera 25 that is incorporated into the apparatus and method to capture high speed resolution images from a moving train that is referenced in application Ser. No. 14/971,145.

(15) 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.

(16) It is anticipated that a plurality of sensors will be attached to a bar, which will be attached to the rail ties using rare earth magnets 15. Rare earth magnets have special abilities to withstand extremes in all types of environments without damage. Although rare earth magnets are anticipated with this application other types of devices may be used to secure the bar or bars to the railroad tracks.

(17) Regardless of the method of attachment or the magnet type that is used, the means of attachment should be durable and be able to withstand extremes in pressures, temperatures and all outdoor environmental conditions. As depicted in FIG. 6 the sensor is placed on the inside surface of the railroad track to insure that the sensor detects the flanged metal surface of the train wheel, which is placed on the interior surface of the train wheel. Additionally, the sensor is likely to be more protected if it is placed on the interior surface. Although it is depicted on the interior of the surface of the wheel, it may also be placed on the exterior of the track surface as long as it is positioned to detect the presence of the train wheel surface. The plurality of sensors within the bars may also be mounted directly into the ground although the critical placement feature is to insure that the sensors detect the presence of the train wheel.

(18) The means to secure the bar with the sensors is not critical other than the fact that the sensor needs to be in a position that will allow the detection of the train wheels as it passes over the sensor.

(19) While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.