3441results about "Railway signalling and safety" patented technology

An LED signal lamp (100) comprises: a housing (102), at least one LED excitation source (108) operable to emit excitation radiation of a first wavelength range (blue light), at least one phosphor material (114) for converting at least a part of the excitation radiation to radiation of a second wavelength range and a substantially transparent cover (104) provided on the housing opening. In one arrangement the excitation source (LED chip) incorporates the phosphor material. Alternatively, the phosphor can be provided remote to the excitation source such as for example on a transparent substrate which is disposed between the excitation source and transparent cover. In other arrangements, the phosphor is provided on the transparent cover or other optical components as a layer on a surface of the cover or incorporated within the cover / optical component material.

A method and system for detecting an object or abnormality on or near a rail track. The system comprises scanning means for scanning on and near a portion of the rail track; and detection means for determining the presence and location of the object or abnormality on or near the portion of the rail track based on information from the scanning means.

A system and method for inspecting railroad track is disclosed. The disclosed system includes lasers, cameras, and a processor. The lasers are positioned adjacent the track. The laser emits a beam of light across the railroad track, and the camera captures images of the railroad track having the beam of light emitted thereon. The processor formats the images so that they can be analyzed to determine various measurable aspects of the railroad track. The disclosed system can include a GPS receiver or a distance device for determining location data. The measurable aspects that can be determined by the disclosed system include but are not limited to the spacing between crossties, the angle of ties with respect to rail, cracks and defects in surface of ties, missing fastener components, misaligned fastener components, sunken tie plates, raised spikes, rail wear, gage of rail, ballast height relative to ties, size of ballast stones, and break or separation in the rail. The system includes one or more algorithms for determining these measurable aspects of the railroad track.

A system vitally determines a position of a train. The system includes a plurality of diverse sensors, such as tachometers and accelerometers, structured to repetitively sense at least change in position and acceleration of the train, a global positioning system sensor, which is diverse from each of the diverse sensors, structured to repetitively sense position of the train, and a track map including a plurality of track segments which may be occupied by the train. A processor cooperates with the diverse sensors, the global positioning system sensor and the track map. The processor includes a routine structured to provide measurement uncertainty for each of the diverse sensors and the global positioning system sensor. The routine cross-checks measurements for the diverse sensors, and cross-checks the global positioning system sensor against the track map. The routine provides the vitally determined position of the train and the uncertainty of the vitally determined position.

A server apparatus 20 that is connected, through a communication network 11, to a mobile terminal 40 for reproducing a content and to a ticket gate machine 30. The ticket gate machine 30 detects that a user's entrance into a station area or boarding onto a vehicle, identifies at least a boarding zone, and notifies the identified boarding zone to the server apparatus 20. The server apparatus 20 includes a required duration calculating unit 22 which calculates, based on the boarding zone notified by the ticket gate machine 30, a duration for a user traveling by the vehicle, a content selecting unit 23 which determines a content whose reproduction is completed within the calculated duration, and a data transmitting / receiving unit 21 which delivers the determined content to the mobile terminal 40.

A Railroad Surveying and Monitoring System configured on a mobile platform for surveying, monitoring, and analyzing rail position and superstructure and terrain substructure of railroad tracks (20a,b) or other structures. The system employs two or more High Accuracy Differential Global Positioning System devices (110,112), ground penetrating radar devices (116), terrain conductivity instruments (118), optical cameras (124), and data receivers and processors (126), which in turn process, display, and store the data in a usable database. Precise coordinate data generated from a High Accuracy Global Positioning System provides both location data for subsurface sensors and surface sensors and rail position coordinates to monitor track displacements during track inspection in real time.

A vision inspection system and method for use with a railcar includes a vision device adapted to provide an image of each rail component. An image recognition component analyzes the images taken by the vision device to determine the type and condition of each rail component as the vehicle is traveling on the railroad track. A control system communicates with the vision device and the image recognition component. The control system causes workheads of the vehicle to engage respective rail components based on the input received from the vision inspection system. A method for determining the relative distance between the rail components includes comparing the position of the respective rail components of a first image to the position of the respective rail components of a second image to determine the distance between the respective components and distance the railcar has moved.

The invention discloses a virtual coupling small-group train control system and method based on train-train communication, and is a scheme which guarantees running safety and improves train running efficiency. In the scheme, in a small-group range, a main train continuously detects environment awareness and state data of the main train, environment awareness and state data of a front train are acquired by point-to-point direct communication, a control strategy is formed by comparison calculation according to a calculation result, and a rear train is adjusted to follow the front train within adynamic safe distance. By the strategy, the main train is controlled to follow the front train adaptively, and the trains in a small group can be assisted to cooperatively make correct active train control decision and operation. By the scheme, the running performance of the system can be greatly improved, requirements of flexible operation of urban rail transit can be met well, development spaceand potential are huge, and the virtual coupling small-group train control system and method based on train-train communication are future development tendency and the development direction of an urban rail transit traffic signal system.

A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

A railroad track inspection system has multiple track scanning sensors, a data store, and a scan data processor. The scan data processor provides automatic analysis of the track scan data to detect track components within the scan data from a predetermined list of component types according to features identified in said scan data. The track scanning sensors, data store and scan data processor are attached to a common support structure for mounting the system to a railway vehicle in use. An inertia sensor and common master clock are used to make corrections to the output of the track scanning sensors to accommodate dynamic forces in use. The inspection system may be provided in a single housing for mounting to a conventional passenger / freight rail vehicles and may operate automatically in an unattended mode. The location of track components and / or defects may be logged.

The present invention provides a passenger location information system that provides information on the current location of a user during a trip in real time and in a mode suitable for each user. A configuration is provided in which passenger location information, at least including information on the ends (station, stop, etc.) of a transportation line interval in which a portable information terminal is located, is output at a predetermined time on a user terminal 1 such as a mobile phone terminal connectable to a network. In addition, using notification means such as a ringing tone or a vibrator, the user terminal 1 notifies the user, under a condition set by the user in advance, that the user is approaching a destination to prevent the user from riding past a destination due to dozing.

Novel tools and techniques for monitoring railway track geometry. In one aspect, some such tools and techniques can determine a location of a platform along a railway, capture one or more images of the railway, and / or analyze the rail configuration at that point. In another aspect, some solutions might employ photogrammetric techniques to analyze the rail configuration and thereafter store data about the rail configuration, perhaps correlated with the location of the images, in a data store.

New techniques are presented for detection methods employed in the control, automation and operation of scale Model railroad layouts that permit new types of capabilities to be incorporated into the railroad. The invention allows reliable detection of transponder devices on a model railroad layout using conveniently low values of transponder current pulses. Processing of the detected current pulse timing and direction characteristics and then comparing these with the expected or reference current direction for the layout section allows us to reject echo pulses caused by common impedances in the layout wiring. This method overcomes the pulse echoes that have caused the failure of previous attempts to reduce this technology to practice. Allowing additional acknowledgment pulses synchronized to any transponder address sent can further enhance Transponding technology. This provides extra communication capabilities that are not limited by the rate or timing of addresses sent to any particular transponder device.

A system for inspecting railroad ties in a railroad track includes a light generator, an optical receiver and a processor. The light generator is oriented to project a beam of light across the railroad track while moving along the railroad track in a travel direction. The optical receiver is oriented to receive at least a portion of the beam of light reflected from the railroad track and configured to generate image data representative of a profile of at least a portion of the railroad track. The processor is configured to analyze the image data by applying one or more algorithms configured to find boundaries of a railroad tie and determine one or more condition metrics associated with the railroad tie.

A system for confirming a direction of travel of a vehicle includes a location determining system and a control unit. The location determining system is configured to be coupled to a vehicle that travels in a network of plural route segments having fixed positions. The location determining system also is configured to obtain data representative of a measured heading of the vehicle. The measured heading represents a direction of travel of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to receive a designated route segment that is at least one of selected by operator input or provided by a trip plan that designates operational settings of the vehicle for a trip. The control unit is configured to compare the measured heading of the vehicle with one or more designated headings associated with the route segments to verify whether the vehicle is actually traveling on the designated route segment.

A method of inspecting a turnout of a track includes the steps of: capturing images of the components of the turnout; converting each image into a set of coordinates that traces the transverse cross-section of a rail profile; analyzing the rail profile to determine if the rail profile is a profile of arunning rail portion or a component. Upon determination that the image represents a component, taking measurements of the rail profile and applying virtual gauges to the rail profile to check for potentially dangerous conditions of the component; and generating a summary of each cross-section of the rail profile of the component indicating problem areas. The method is used for identifying certain classes of switch or turnout rail conditions which can lead to derailments, and for enhancing the turnout inspection approach currently used. The use of this method as an integrated part of the rail profile monitoring program will reduce reliance on field measurements and will also allow more frequent, comprehensive, and convenient analysis of turnout condition.

A system and method for inspecting railroad track is disclosed. The disclosed system includes lasers, cameras, and a processor. The lasers are positioned adjacent the track. The laser emits a beam of light across the railroad track, and the camera captures images of the railroad track having the beam of light emitted thereon. The processor formats the images so that they can be analyzed to determine various measurable aspects of the railroad track. The disclosed system can include a GPS receiver or a distance device for determining location data. The measurable aspects that can be determined by the disclosed system include but are not limited to the spacing between crossties, the angle of ties with respect to rail, cracks and defects in surface of ties, missing fastener components, misaligned fastener components, sunken tie plates, raised spikes, rail wear, gage of rail, ballast height relative to ties, size of ballast stones, and break or separation in the rail. The system includes one or more algorithms for determining these measurable aspects of the railroad track.

Supports such as a pallet carrying aircraft passenger seats or a bottom of a freight container are secured to a floor structure in an aircraft. For this purpose the floor structure includes floor stringers (5) supported on and secured to floor joists (11). The stringers (5) are U-rails having an upwardly open U-cross-section with a first interlocking member (8) in the U-cross-section. An adapter (4, 13) having a present existing stud (8) and shear pin system (8A) is secured in the U-rail of the stringers (5). The adapter (4) is secured to or securable to the support by a latching (2, 3). Another adapter (13) carries rotatable rollers or roller balls that project slightly above an upwardly facing floor level to permit, for example, freight containers or seat pallets to roll along the floor. Instead of adapter (13) it is also possible to install a present existing container latch carrier (14) in the present stringer (5).

The invention relates to a train loading state high-definition monitoring and overloading detection method. The method comprises the following steps that a high-definition camera set is used for carrying out real-time monitoring, when the arrival of a train is sensed, the system automatically starts a video system, a linear array CCD (charge-coupled device) camera carries out real-time scanning, an overloading object is analyzed and alarmed, a binocular visual three-dimensional measuring camera is triggered to carry out binocular visual analysis on obtained train images, feature extraction, image matching and train limit contour comparison, then the overloading size and overloading class are obtained, meanwhile, an image analysis technique is adopted to intelligently identify the opening and closing of a box card door, the damage of a canvas and the deviation of cargos, and the abnormal conditions are alarmed and are stored into high-definition pictures. The method has the advantage that the train is monitored by the high-definition videos in the real-time way, the linear array CCD camera is combined to carry out scanning and detection, and the train contour is measured by the binocular visual three-dimensional measuring camera in the three-dimensional way, so the three-dimensional coordinates of the overloading object are obtained, the real-time overloading alarming is realized, and the overloading data and overloading class with accuracy reaching millimeter level can be accurately measured.

An LED signal lamp (100) comprises: a housing (102), at least one LED excitation source (108) operable to emit excitation radiation of a first wavelength range (blue light), at least one phosphor material (114) for converting at least a part of the excitation radiation to radiation of a second wavelength range and a substantially transparent cover (104) provided on the housing opening. In one arrangement the excitation source (LED chip) incorporates the phosphor material. Alternatively, the phosphor can be provided remote to the excitation source such as for example on a transparent substrate which is disposed between the excitation source and transparent cover. In other arrangements, the phosphor is provided on the transparent cover or other optical components as a layer on a surface of the cover or incorporated within the cover / optical component material.

The invention provides a high speed railway environmental information collection, assessment and early warning device. The device comprises a control module, an environmental parameter information collection module, a storage module, a video image information collection module, an assessment early warning module and a communication module, wherein the control module is respectively connected with the environmental parameter information collection module, the storage module, the video image information collection module, the assessment early warning module and the communication module; the control module as a core module is used for controlling the function realization of other modules; the assessment early warning module is used for processing and analyzing the collected and obtained environmental parameter information and video image information, and sending environment safety assessment information and early warning information by the communication module. The invention provides a high speed railway environmental information collection, assessment and early warning method.

A method and system in which a vehicle carries an on-board positioning system and has access to a database of information pertaining to a plurality of fixed paths. A vector between the position of the fixed path and a position of the vehicle as reported by the positioning system is calculated prior to arriving at a point of divergence (i.e., a point at which a path branches, such as a switch on a railroad track). After passing the path divergence, a second vector is calculated between the position of the vehicle as reported by the positioning system and at least one of the alternate paths, preferably the correct alternate path. The first vector is compared to the second vector, and a determination as to which path the vehicle is on is made based on the comparison.

A system for determining a possible location of a train in a track network including interconnected tracks having wayside devices associated with these tracks. The system includes a positioning system for determining an estimated location area of a train and a track database having track location data. A computer: obtains the determined estimated location area of the train from the positioning system; identifies a plurality of tracks in the estimated location area of the train, based upon the track location data; obtains signal system data for at least one wayside device associated with at least one of the tracks identified within the estimated location area; and determines at least one possible train location on at least one of the identified tracks based at least in part upon the obtained signal system data. A method and apparatus for determining the possible location of a train is also provided.

A locomotive location system and method utilizes inertial measurement inputs, including orthogonal acceleration inputs and turn rate information, in combination with wheel-mounted tachometer information and GPS / DGPS position fixes to provide processed outputs indicative of track occupancy, position, direction of travel, velocity, etc. Various navigation solutions are combined together to provide the desired information outputs using an optimal estimator designed specifically for rail applications and subjected to motion constraints reflecting the physical motion limitations of a locomotive. The system utilizes geo-reconciliation to minimize errors and solutions that identify track occupancy when traveling through a turnout.

Techniques are disclosed for detecting and reporting railroad track anomalies. In one embodiment, a track inspection application is configured to receive images (or other sensor data) depicting a railroad track captured by cameras mounted on a train, compare the captured images with corresponding reference images (or other sensor data) captured from substantially the same locations and vantage points, and detect anomalies in the railroad track represented by differences between the captured images and corresponding reference images. In another embodiment, the inspection application may generate a three-dimensional (3D) model of the railroad track based on depths determined through, e.g., triangulation, and determine the railroad track's geometry from the 3D model. The inspection application may then detect anomalies associated with the track geometry, such as an incorrect distance between track rails or an incorrect overall location of the track, based on differences between the determined track geometry and a stored track geometry.

System and method for self powered wayside railway signaling and sensing. The system includes a power scavenging module and a power utilizing module. The power scavenging module is configured to convert an excitation of a rail into electrical power. The power utilizing module is powered by the electrical power and is configured to detect a predetermined characteristic in relation to the rail, a train moving on the rail or an environment of the railroad and to communicate data in relation to the predetermined characteristic.

The invention provides a foreign matter invading detecting method and a foreign matter invading detecting device. The foreign matter invading detecting method comprises the following steps that infrared images within the monitoring scope are acquired by utilizing an infrared camera and are transmitted to an image collecting and processing system; whether a suspected foreign matter appears in the monitoring scope or not is determined by the image collecting and processing system according to the infrared images; when the suspected foreign matter appears, the laser light source and a visible light camera are focused on the suspected foreign matter within the monitoring scope, and filling light of laser light is conducted on the suspected foreign matter by utilizing the laser light resource; visible light images of the suspected foreign matter are acquired and transmitted to the image collecting and processing system; image registration and image fusion are conducted on the visible light images and images of the suspected foreign matter area in the infrared images by the image collecting and processing system; and information of the suspected foreign matter is provided by utilizing the fused images, and feature extraction and classification are conducted on the suspected foreign matter by utilizing the information of the suspected foreign matter, automatic identification and alarming for the suspected foreign matter are realized, and abundant and complete image information can be acquired in the time of dark light, dark skies and low visibility.

An interactive smart nails and network information systems, its features is that it is formed by at least by a group of interactive intelligent nails, multifunctional vehicle card / box structure, an interactive smart nails with the appropriate spacing emplaced on the road , road side road or parking place, multifunctional vehicle card / box placed in vehicles, interactive smart nail through its embedded between the wired or wireless data communication devices direct or indirect data communication connectivity, interactive Intelligence nails passing through or near their vehicles at the multi-purpose vehicle card / box and through their respective embedded wireless data communication devices can be single / two-way information and communication. This invention has a variety of functions, high level of intelligence information, reliable performance, lower system costs, the advantages of easy installation, and system maintenance and expansion easy, round-the-clock weather conditions in the application.

A system and method for determining rail seat abrasion of a rail road track is disclosed. An inspection system comprises lasers, cameras, and processors adapted to determine whether rail seat abrasion is present along the track. The processor employs a mathematics based algorithm which compensates for tilt encountered as the inspection system moves along the track.