Railway Track Optical Localization for Precise Tool Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway track maintenance and intervention systems face challenges in precise early locating of points or lines of interest, particularly on curved tracks, due to issues with odometric errors, perpendicularity defects, and the need for rigid chassis, which limits their effectiveness on varied track conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method using a linear camera and odometer system that acquires and processes instantaneous linear optical data to construct a bitmap image, identifies spatial indexing markers, and determines coordinates of points or lines of interest, rectifying distortions through orientation data, enabling precise localization and tool positioning on a railway track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measuring beam is arranged at the front of the machine horizontally and perpendicularly to the track direction, then the transversal positioning of the rail can be detected, but the system becomes extremely complex and requires a rigid common chassis to maintain precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measuring beam system with an optical system consisting of a linear camera and odometer. The linear camera captures images of the rail, and the odometer provides position data, eliminating the need for a rigid mechanical common chassis while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical images captured by the linear camera as a copy of the rail's visual appearance. By processing these images and combining them with odometric position data, the system determines rail positioning without requiring direct mechanical contact or rigid structural support.
2Reliability
If the measuring beam is positioned at a distance from the tools, then interference is avoided, but odometric errors become cumulative and positioning precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the odometric mechanical measurement system with an optical measurement system. The linear camera captures images at known positions, and image processing provides direct measurement of rail positions, eliminating cumulative odometric errors while maintaining the ability to position tools at a distance from the measurement point.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a linear camera is used to capture track images, then vibration resistance is improved, but the system cannot directly provide positioning data without additional odometric components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the linear camera system with odometric components to create an integrated positioning system. The linear camera provides vibration-resistant image capture, while the odometer provides position data, and their combination enables both high vibration resistance and direct positioning capability.
4Measurement precision
If the system processes images to identify points of interest, then localization accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image capture and basic processing during the forward movement of the vehicle. By continuously capturing images and pre-processing them to identify points of interest, the system reduces real-time processing requirements and enables faster localization when intervention is needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides highly accurate and vibration-resistant localization of points or lines of interest, allowing for efficient and precise intervention on railway tracks, including curved sections, by reducing latency and uncertainty in positioning, and enabling automated tool placement.
Implementation Method 1
repeatedly acquiring, with the linear camera pointing at the railway track, instantaneous linear optical data along an instantaneous measurement line
Implementation Method 2
repeatedly acquiring, with the odometer(s), progression data of the railway locating system on the railway track in the direction of progression
Data Source
AI summary
In order to locate points or lines of interest A, B, C, D on a railway track 22, by means of a railway locating system 12 comprising a linear camera 26 and an odometer 28 progressing on the railway track 22 in a direction of progression 100, the odometer 28, repeatedly acquires instantaneous positioning data of the linear camera 26 with respect to the railway track 22 in the direction of progression 100, and the linear camera 26 pointing at the railway track 22 repeatedly acquires instantaneous linear optical data along an instantaneous measurement line 50. Then, by processing at least the instantaneous linear optical data and the instantaneous positioning data, a bitmap image is constructed of a zone of the surface of the railway track 22, and, in the bitmap image, at least one spatial indexing marker 56 of predetermined signature and its positioning relative to a reference rail 22A of the railway track 22 is identified. Points or lines of interest A, B, C, D are identified in the bitmap image, and the coordinates of the points or lines of interest are determined in a two-dimensional locating reference system O, x, y linked to the spatial indexing marker 56 and to the reference line 22A.