Method and system for calibrating laser profiling systems
AssigneeGeorgetown Rail Equipment Company
InventorsCharles W. Aaron, Jeb E. Belcher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser profiling calibration system includes a light emitting device, a light-reflecting target, and an optical receiver. The light emitting device is configured to project a light and define a light plane. The light-reflecting target is configured to be positioned at multiple positions within the light plane, and has a plurality of non-reflective regions. The optical receiver is oriented to receive light reflected from the target, and further configured to capture a plurality of images, comprising at least one image at each of the target's multiple positions. The system is configured to use the plurality of images to calibrate the optical receiver within the light plane.
Claims6
An optical railroad track inspection system, comprising:
- at least one downwardly oriented laser device, attachable to a rail vehicle, configured to project a laser defining a substantially vertical laser plane;
- a target connected to the rail vehicle, wherein the target may be positioned at various vertical positions with respect to the rail vehicle and within the laser plane, the target being reflective and having a plurality of non-reflective regions spaced at known intervals;
- an optical receiver, attachable to the rail vehicle and oriented to receive laser light reflected from the target, configured to capture a plurality of images, comprising at least one image at each of the target's multiple positions;
- and
- the inspection system configured to use the plurality of images to calibrate the optical receiver within the laser plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.