US3864039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rail gage apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of Transportation
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Filing: 1973-07-12
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus which can be affixed to the underside of revenue producing trains which will produce an electrical signal which is a measure of the gage or distance between the rails such that the condition and maintenance requirements of the track can be determined without interfering with the revenue service of the train.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Wilmarth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:37
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61K; B61K9/00; B61K9/08; G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Rail gage apparatus comprising in combination with a wheeled vehicle for traveling along two rails having opaque rail heads: light projection means mounted on said vehicle illuminating the base of both of the rails; light receiver means positioned above said opaque rail heads but not in physical contact therewith such that the amount of reflected light received is dependent upon the shadows cast by the positions of the gage side of said opaque rail heads; and means for converting said received light into continuous positional data signals representing the gage between rails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Rail gage apparatus comprising in combination with a wheeled vehicle for traveling along two rails having opaque rail heads: light projection means mounted on said vehicle illuminating the base of both of the rails; light receiver means positioned above said opaque rail heads but not in physical contact therewith such that the amount of reflected light received is dependent upon the shadows cast by the positions of the gage side of said opaque rail heads; and means for converting said received light into continuous positional data signals representing the gage between rails.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Rail gage apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes means for modulating the light projection means and signal processing means connected to the output of the light receiver means for processing the detected signals to discriminate against unwanted light signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Rail gage apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for processing the detected signal comprises synchronous gating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Rail gage apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for processing the detected signal comprises filtering means at the modulation frequency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |