Patent ID: 8082852
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: E01B

Abstract:
1. A machine for automatically orienting railroad tie plates, comprising: a sensing region; at least one optical sensor associated with the sensing region and connected to the machine, the at least one optical sensor including a transmitter portion arranged to transmit a sensing beam such that the sensing beam at least one of reflects and refracts at an angle from a surface of a tie plate and a receiver portion arranged to receive a visible representation of the sensing beam that at least one of reflects and refracts at the angle such that a physical feature of the tie plate is discernible, wherein the at least one optical sensor is adapted to sense the physical feature of the tie plate; an electronic controller operably connected to the at least one optical sensor and disposed to receive therefrom a sensor signal indicative of the physical feature of the tie plate when the tie plate is in the sensing region; wherein the electronic controller is further disposed to: