Patent ID: 6909514
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: B61K,G01B

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring a railroad wheel, the railroad wheel having a tread, a surface, a flange, an axis, and a profile, the method comprising: illuminating a first portion of the surface of the railroad wheel, the first portion being illuminated along a first plane intersecting the profile; illuminating a second portion of the surface of the railroad wheel, the second portion being illuminated along a second plane intersecting the railroad wheel, the second plane being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the railroad wheel; capturing a first image of the first portion; capturing a second image of the second portion; converting the first image to a first set of coordinates; converting the second image to a second set of coordinates; calculating, using the second set of coordinates, a center and a wheel size of the railroad wheel, the wheel size being related to a wheel diameter; and calculating a set of wheel parameters using the first set of coordinates, the calculated center, and the calculated wheel size.