# US 11,027,758 B2 · Vertical rail measurement device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,758 B2 - Document ID: US11027758B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/752,066 - Filed: 2020-01-24 - Published: 2020-08-20 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-15 - Assignees: Protran Technology, LLC - Applicants: Protran Technology, LLC - Inventors: Peter M. Bartek; Corey Dash - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027758B2 ## CPC - B61L 23/047: {Track or rail movements} - B61L 1/06: actuated by deformation of rail; actuated by vibration in rail - B61L 27/53: for trackside elements or systems, e.g. trackside supervision of trackside control system conditions - G01M 5/0058: {of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways} - G01M 5/0066: {by exciting or detecting vibration or acceleration (vibration testing of structures G01M7/00)} - B61L 27/70: Details of trackside communication - B61L: GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC (brakes or auxiliary equipment B61H, B61K; point or crossing construction E01B) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The invention relates to a portable device for measuring vertical rail measurements under service to record and report excessive vertical rail movement to prevent a train from derailing. The device may be pivoting with a tilt sensor and light-weight. The device may include a microprocessor, sensors, and a display. The device may be installed on the rail. The device may sense an approaching train, automatically turn on the device, and measure the real-time vertical displacement and the maximum/minimum vertical movement of the rail while the train is operating over the rail at all speeds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vertical rail measurement device comprising: a control box configured to removably coupled to a rail; and a measurement arm coupled to the control box, the measurement arm having a first end and a second end being opposite the first end and configured to rest on the ground; and a processor configured to measure a vertical displacement of the rail. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to measure a real-time vertical rail displacement, a maximum vertical rail displacement, and a minimum vertical rail displacement of the rail. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to: compare the maximum vertical rail displacement to a predetermined rail displacement; and based on the maximum vertical rail displacement exceeding the predetermined rail displacement, transmit a derailing warning signal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: detect an approaching train; and based on the approaching train being within a first distance from the control box, activate the control box. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: store data corresponding to the vertical displacement of the rail; transmit the data corresponding to the vertical displacement of the rail; or a combination thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the process is further configured to transmit data corresponding to the vertical displacement of the rail via a wireless communication. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor coupled to the measurement arm, wherein the measurement arm is moveable relative the control box. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the measurement arm extends through the sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, further comprising a plate coupled to the second end of the measurement arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the first end of the measurement arm is coupled to the control box. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein: the measurement arm includes: a first portion that extends from the first end; and a second portion that extends from the second end; and the first portion is angularly disposed relative to the second portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the vertical rail measurement device weighs less than 3 pounds. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes a display configured to display one or more of the following: a real-time vertical rail displacement, a maximum vertical rail displacement, or a minimum vertical rail displacement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the control box includes one or more magnets configured to couple the control box to a web of the rail. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a speed of a train, a direction of the train, or both. ### Claim 16 A method of measuring a vertical displacement distance of a rail, the method comprising: determining a vertical displacement of a rail via a control box removably coupled to the rail; and transmitting the vertical displacement of the rail; or displaying the vertical displacement of the rail. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein a measurement arm is coupled to the control box, the measurement arm having a first end and a second end being opposite the first end and configured to rest on the ground. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising calculating the vertical displacement of the rail based on movement of the measurement arm relative to the control box. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising determining a real-time vertical rail displacement, a maximum vertical rail displacement, a minimum vertical rail displacement of the rail, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: coupling the control box to the rail; or de-coupling the control box to the rail.