Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gage sensing system having sensor heads positioned over each rail of a railroad track that measures both rail gage and height distance above the rails of a railroad track. Each sensor head includes an array of electromagnetic field generating coils and an array of electromagnetic field sensors positioned above each rail so as to extend substantially across the rail surface. A method of measuring gage distance is also provided in which lateral EM field output signal indicative of an edge surface of a rail is sensed.

Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gage sensing system having sensor heads positioned over each rail of a railroad track that measures both rail gage and height distance above the rails of a railroad track. Each sensor head includes an array of electromagnetic field generating coils and an array of electromagnetic field sensors positioned above each rail so as to extend substantially across the rail surface. A method of measuring gage distance is also provided in which lateral EM field output signal indicative of an edge surface of a rail is sensed.

Abstract: The multi-sensor route detector system preferably consists of at least four sensors (three rail detectors and a truck angle detector), sensor power supplies, signal conditioning for the output of the sensors, and a computer performing pattern matching and logic functions to positively identify track features of interest. The system is not a stand-alone navigation system, but will interface with the rest of the vehicle navigation system and provide data over an interface. This data will include notification of passage of turnouts, whether or not the route changed through the turnout and possibly the type of turnout (i.e., number 6 left). From external sensors, the multi-sensor route detector will obtain a signal such as block distance pulse indicating distance traveled along the track. The best estimate of the vehicle position will also be sent to the multi-sensor route detector. Based on the present position, the multi-sensor route detector will access the appropriate turnout data from its internal database.

Abstract: The multi-sensor route detector system preferably consists of at least four sensors (three rail detectors and a truck angle detector), sensor power supplies, signal conditioning for the output of the sensors, and a computer performing pattern matching and logic functions to positively identify track features of interest. The system is not a stand-alone navigation system, but will interface with the rest of the vehicle navigation system and provide data over an interface. This data will include notification of passage of turnouts, whether or not the route changed through the turnout and possibly the type of turnout (i.e., number 6 left). From external sensors, the multi-sensor route detector will obtain a signal such as block distance pulse indicating distance traveled along the track. The best estimate of the vehicle position will also be sent to the multi-sensor route detector. Based on the present position, the multi-sensor route detector will access the appropriate turnout data from its internal database.