Patent ID: 7616329
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B61K,B61L,G01C

Abstract:
1. A system for inspecting a railroad track bed, including the railroad track, to be mounted on a vehicle for movement along the railroad track, the system comprising: at least one light generator positioned adjacent the railroad track for projecting a beam of light across the railroad track bed; at least one optical receiver positioned adjacent the railroad track for receiving at least a portion of the light reflected from the railroad track bed and generating a plurality of images representative of the profile of at least a portion of the railroad track bed; and at least one processor for analyzing the plurality of images and determining one or more physical characteristics of the said portion of the railroad track bed, the one or more physical characteristics comprising at least a geographic location of the plurality of images along the railroad track bed, wherein the processor includes an algorithm for determining the distance between crossties of the railroad track bed, the algorithm comprising the steps of: