Speed sensitive dragging equipment detector
AssigneeProgress Rail Services Corporation
InventorMARK JOSEPH BARTONEK
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to a method of detecting an object beneath a train. The method may include receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of the train, receiving a second signal indicative of a three generated by impact of the object with an impact element, and selecting a threshold value based on the speed of the train. The method may also include processing the second signal in accordance with a first procedure if the first signal indicates a speed of the train less than the threshold level, and processing the second signal in accordance with a second procedure different from the first procedure if the first signal is equal to or greater than the threshold level.
Claims20
A method of detecting an object beneath a train, the method comprising:
- receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of the train;
- receiving a second signal indicative of a force generated by impact of the object with an impact element;
- selecting a threshold value based on the speed of the train;
- processing said second signal in accordance with a first procedure if said first signal is less than the threshold level;
- and
- processing said second signal in accordance with a second procedure different from said first procedure if said first signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value.
An apparatus for detecting an object beneath a train, the apparatus comprising:
- an impact element configured to be disposed in a path of the object;
- a sensor configured to sense an impact on the impact element;
- a speed detector configured to detect a speed of the train;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- receive a first signal from the sensor indicative of a force generated by impact of the object with the impact element,
- receive a second signal from the speed detector indicative of the speed of the train,
- determine a threshold value based on the speed of the train,
- implement a first procedure on said first signal when the speed is less than said threshold value, and
- implement a second procedure different from said first procedure on said first signal when the speed is equal to or greater than said threshold value.
A method of detecting an object beneath a train, the method comprising:
- receiving a first signal indicative of a speed of the train;
- receiving a second signal indicative of a force generated by impact of the object with an impact element;
- selecting a threshold level based on the speed of the train;
- comparing said first signal with said threshold level;
- amplifying said second signal when said first signal is less than the threshold level to enable detection of the force generated by the impact of the object with the impact element when the train is traveling at speeds less than approximately 20 miles per hour;
- and
- processing said second signal without amplification when said first signal is approximately equal to or greater than the threshold level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.