US 10,704,970 B1Granted

Strain sensor systems

AssigneeGe Global Sourcing LLC

InventorsBradley Brown, Tianshao Ni, Johann Sawatzky, Richard Burchill, Michael Procca, Edward Lommen, Cory Sholikowski

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Abstract

A strain sensor system emits coarse interrogation signals of different frequencies during a coarse scan while an RF resonant sensor and/or an RF interrogator moves relative to the other. The sensor emits responsive RF signals within a frequency range of a frequency of interest of the sensor. The controller identifies the frequency of interest based on receipt of the responsive signals. The interrogator emits fine interrogation signals of different frequencies during a fine scan subsequent to the coarse scan. The fine signals are emitted at frequencies within a frequency band on both sides of the frequency of interest. The sensor emits responsive RF signals and the controller identifies a center frequency of the RF resonant sensor based on receipt of the responsive signals.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for inspecting a rail of a railroad track, comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) resonant sensor;
an RF interrogator device;
and
a controller configured to direct the RF interrogator device to emit coarse interrogation signals of different frequencies during a coarse scan of the rail of the railroad track, while at least one of the RF resonant sensor or the RF interrogator device, disposed on a rail vehicle, moves relative to another of the RF resonant sensor or the RF interrogator device,
wherein the RF resonant sensor is configured to emit a first responsive RF signal in response to receiving at least one of the coarse interrogation signals within a frequency range of a frequency of interest of the RF resonant sensor,
wherein the controller is configured to identify the frequency of interest of the RF resonant sensor based on receipt of the first responsive RF signal, the controller also configured to direct the RF interrogator device to emit fine interrogation signals of different frequencies during a fine scan subsequent to the coarse scan, the fine interrogation signals emitted at the different frequencies within a frequency band on both sides of the frequency of interest,
wherein the RF resonant sensor is configured to emit a second responsive RF signal in response to receiving at least one of the fine interrogation signals, and
wherein the controller is configured to identify a center frequency of the RF resonant sensor based on receipt of the second responsive RF signal.

5 more elements

A method comprising:

directing a radio frequency (RF) interrogator device to emit coarse interrogation signals of different frequencies during a coarse scan of an RF resonant sensor while at least one of the RF resonant sensor or the RF interrogator device moves relative to another of the RF resonant sensor or the RF interrogator device;
receiving a first responsive RF signal from the RF resonant sensor in response to the RF resonant sensor receiving at least one of the coarse interrogation signals within a frequency range of a frequency of interest of the RF resonant sensor;
identifying the frequency of interest of the RF resonant sensor based on receipt of the first responsive RF signal;
directing the RF interrogator device to emit fine interrogation signals of different frequencies during a fine scan after the coarse scan, the fine interrogation signals emitted at the different frequencies within a frequency band on both sides of the frequency of interest;
receiving a second responsive RF signal from the RF resonant sensor in response to receiving at least one of the fine interrogation signals;
and
identifying a center frequency of the RF resonant sensor based on receipt of the second responsive RF signal.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/294,592Filed 6 Mar 2019
Granted: 7 Jul 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

G01L 1/25
Measuring force or stress, in general: using wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays , microwaves, neutrons
B61K 9/08
Railway vehicle profile gauges; Detecting or indicating overheating of components; Apparatus on locomotives or cars to indicate bad track…:…
B61L 23/042
For monitoring the mechanical state of the route: track changes detection
G01B 15/06
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma…