Pilot Or Signal Cars Patents (Class 246/166)
  • Patent number: 9905057
    Abstract: A driving behavior monitoring system (11) comprising an on-board diagnostics module (3) adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, the on-board diagnostics module comprising a vehicle usage monitor operative to monitor usage of the vehicle and to generate vehicle usage data based on at least one usage characteristic of the vehicle, the system further comprising a controller (5) and a driving behavior scoring server (9) arranged to be in real-time communication with the controller via a telecommunications network, the on-board diagnostics module further comprising a transceiver operative to transmit the vehicle usage data to the server via the controller, the server comprising a database (12) on which vehicle usage data is stored, the server further comprising a data processor controlled by an algorithm such that the server is operative to generate an alert signal by processing the vehicle usage data generated by the on-board diagnostics module, the alert signal being indicative of a driving behavior score, and where
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: WUNELLI LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Rowan Stacy
  • Patent number: 7455265
    Abstract: Systems and devices for storing railway surveillance vehicles on trains and placing railway surveillance vehicles onto railway tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas L. Jones
  • Patent number: 6417765
    Abstract: A railway anti-collision and anti-derailment safety system, comprises a self-propelled trolley adapted to precede a train. The trolley has sensor structure to reveal anomalies or obstacles along railroad tracks, and an integration system between the trolley and a train to pilot the trolley from the train and to transfer from the trolley to the train information as to anomalies or obstacles. The trolley responds to the detection of anomalies or obstacles to eject the trolley forcibly from the tracks to one side of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Franco Capanna
  • Patent number: 5786750
    Abstract: A self-propelled remotely controlled pilot vehicle adapted for use on raiad tracks to monitor hazardous conditions and obstacles on the railroad tracks. The pilot vehicle precedes a train along the railroad tracks at a distance which will allow the train to come to a complete stop in the event the pilot vehicle encounters a hazardous condition on the track. The pilot vehicle is equipped with a sensor array which measures a variety of different parameters such as the presence of noxious gases, moisture in the atmosphere, breakage in one or both rails of the track and orientation with respect to the force of gravity as well as the yaw, pitch and roll attitude of the tracks upon which the pilot vehicle is riding. The pilot vehicle is also equipped with a television camera which provides a visual image of the railroad track ahead of the pilot vehicle to the engineer of the train. An infrared camera which is mounted on the front of the pilot vehicle generates an infrared image of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Guy F. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5623244
    Abstract: A self-propelled remotely controlled pilot vehicle adapted for use on raiad tracks to monitor hazardous conditions and obstacles on the railroad tracks. The pilot vehicle precedes a train along the railroad tracks at a distance which will allow the train to come to a complete stop in the event the pilot vehicle encounters a hazardous condition on the track. The pilot vehicle is equipped with a sensor array which measures a variety of different parameters such as the presence of noxious gases, moisture in the atmosphere or at ground level, breakage in one or both rails of the track and orientation with respect to the force of gravity as well as the yaw, pitch and roll of the tracks upon which the pilot vehicle is riding. The pilot vehicle is also equipped with a television camera which provides a visual image of the railroad track ahead of the pilot vehicle to the engineer of the train. An infrared camera which is mounted on the front of the pilot vehicle generates an infrared image of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Guy F. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5429329
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle (10) is shown with conventional train flanged wheels (11) riding upon common railroad tracks (12). The body (13) of the vehicle encloses a conventional diesel electric power unit (14) with speed characteristics comparable to the train it precedes. The power unit (14) is controlled by a computer program, but has remote control override provisions in the software as directed by the engineer in the locomotive cab following the robotic vehicle (RV). The RV (10) has a television camera (15) viewing the track ahead and a transmitter (16) for sending the video signal to the locomotive cab's TV monitor (17)/video cassette recorder (18). The range and power of the electromagnetic wave exchange directly between the RV and cab will be low power broadcasts and signal frequencies as assigned by the FCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Charles C. Wallace, Charles P. Swanson