Railway inspection system

Abstract

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a railway inspection system is shown. The system includes: an unmanned self-propelled vehicle, a sensor, a position system and a control system. The unmanned self-propelled vehicle is adapted to travel on a railway track ahead of the train and has a sensor configured to detect an adverse railway condition. The positioning system is configured to determine the position of the self-propelled vehicle. The control system in communication with the sensor and the train; wherein the control system communicates the adverse railway condition to the train.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to a system, and more particularly, to railway inspection system which includes an unmanned self-propelled vehicle, a positioning system and a control system.BACKGROUND[0002]Generally, railway inspection systems are often limited by human ability to visually and audibly inspect trains to operate on track. For example, visual inspection may occur when an operator transverses railway track on foot or manually operates the lead locomotive in a train. Although visual inspections are currently governed by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, as set forth in Part 213 of 49 CFR, it may not allow the operator to detect minor track defects before the lead locomotive travels over the defective track. It also relegates the lead locomotive of a train to travel at a very slow speed (e.g., not more than five miles per hour when passing over track crossings, highway crossing and switches), for a limited track distance (e.g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In one aspect of the present disclosure, a railway inspection system is disclosed. The railway inspection system for a train includes an unmanned self-propelled vehicle adapted to travel on a railway track ahead of the train and having: a sensor configured to detect an adverse railway condition. The railway insp

Problems solved by technology

Generally, railway inspection systems are often limited by human ability to visually and audibly inspect trains to operate on track.

Although visual inspections are currently governed by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, as set forth in Part 213 of 49 CFR, it may not allow the operator to detect minor track defects before the lead locomotive travels over the defective track.

The use of this visual inspection system may become further complicated when the track is exposed to additional factors such as corrosion, rust, extreme weather and locomotive operating conditions during the course of travel.

Additionally, cracks in the rail, loose spikes, defective ties, weed or growth near the tracks, brush or other growth blocking signals, and weakness in ballasts may further contribute to defects of railway

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