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US 11,305,799 B2Granted
Debris deflection and removal method for an apparatus and method for gathering data from sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a railway track
AssigneeTetra Tech, Inc.
InventorDarel Mesher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.
Claims8
A method of clearing debris from the view of a sensor of a railway track assessment system, the method comprising:
- i. blowing air from an air blowing device on a rail vehicle wherein such air is blown through a duct to an air distribution lid attached adjacent to a cover plate of a sensor enclosure, the cover plate including a first glass panel and a second glass panel;
- and
- ii. clearing the first glass panel and the second glass panel of debris using the air flowing through the air distribution lid.
A method for analyzing the side of a rail of a railway track comprising:
- i. projecting light from a structured light generator onto the side of a rail wherein the structured light generated is located in a sensor enclosure on a rail vehicle;
- ii. obtaining data from the side of the rail using a first 3D sensor located in the sensor enclosure;
- iii. blowing air from an air blowing device on the rail vehicle wherein such air is blown through a duct to an air distribution lid attached adjacent to a cover plate of the sensor enclosure, the cover plate including a first glass panel and a second glass panel, thereby clearing the first glass panel and the second glass panel of debris.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.