Redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor systems and methods for object detection, speed and heading
AssigneeThe Island Radar Company
InventorThomas N. Hilleary
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Railroad object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to make real time health assessments and self-diagnose sensor problems in a railroad application. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
Claims20
An object detection system for an object passing through a safety zone comprising:
- a first pair of radar sensors at a first location spaced from the safety zone, the first pair of radar sensors including a first radar sensor and a second radar sensor independently operable from the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor operable according to a different detection technique than the first radar sensor, and each of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor operable in combination to detect a presence, speed and heading of an object advancing toward or away from the safety zone;
- and
- a controller configured to compare an output of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor to assess a health of the object detection system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.