US3922969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moving projector system
Assignee: Canron Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-21
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A lining system and method for aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations, the amount of error in the alignment of the track at these locations having been determined. A reference beam projector is mounted on a car to travel over the track ahead of the track lining machine. A beam receiver is mounted on another car behind the machine on correctly aligned track. A shadowboard is mounted on the machine to indicate the position of the track being aligned to the receiver. A potentiometer having a linear resistance and a wiper is employed to interpolate the amount of error in the alignment of the track at the location of the projector. A voltage is applied to each end of the resistance, the amount of the voltage at each end corresponding to the error in alignment of the track at each of the two locations. The position of the wiper relative to the resistance corresponds to the distance travelled by the projector. The wiper is electrically connected to a differential amplifier which transmits a signal to an electric motor whenever the position of the projector relative to the optimum path for the track differs from a predetermined amount and then the electric motor adjusts the position of the projector accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Tyler
- 👤 Beckmann Helmut Von
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:50
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B33/00; E01B33/02; E01B35/00; E01B2203/00; E01B2203/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
467 words
A lining system for aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations along a correct line, the amount of error relative to said correct line in the alignment of the track at said two locations having been determined, comprising a reference beam projector mounted on first support means for travel over track, a reference beam receiver mounted on second support means for travel over track, a shadowboard mounted on further support means to indicate the position of a piece of track being aligned to said receiver, said shadowboard being located between said projector and said receiver along the intended line of projection of the reference beam, track aligning means for moving said piece of track in a direction indicated by said receiver, means for continually adjusting the location of said projector in the transverse direction of the track relative to the adjacent track on which said projector is located as said projector moves between said two locations according to said amount of error at each location and the existing location of said projector along the length of track, said adjusting means including first recording means for recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amounts of error at each of said two locations and for indicating at a given moment in time the location of said projector along said length of railroad track, said first means for recording the amounts of error comprising two positive and negative voltage sources and voltage control means for controlling the amount of voltage from each source, each of said amounts corresponding to the amount of error at one of said two locations, said first means for indicating the location of said projector comprising a movable electrical take-off arm contacting a resistance member of a potentiometer and means for moving said take-off arm along said resistance a distance depending on the distance travelled by said projector from one of said two locations, and means for interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis of the recorded amounts of error and the recorded location of said projector, wherein, when said projector travels over track yet to be aligned, said projector traces a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, whereby in operation said projector is moved over track yet to be aligned and projects a reference beam to said receiver, the position of said piece of track is indicated to said receiver by the position of said shadowboard relative to said reference beam, said receiver indicates to said track aligning means the direction in which said track is to be moved in order that said track is correctly alIgned, and said track aligning means moves said track in said direction to correctly align said track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
467 words
A lining system for aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations along a correct line, the amount of error relative to said correct line in the alignment of the track at said two locations having been determined, comprising a reference beam projector mounted on first support means for travel over track, a reference beam receiver mounted on second support means for travel over track, a shadowboard mounted on further support means to indicate the position of a piece of track being aligned to said receiver, said shadowboard being located between said projector and said receiver along the intended line of projection of the reference beam, track aligning means for moving said piece of track in a direction indicated by said receiver, means for continually adjusting the location of said projector in the transverse direction of the track relative to the adjacent track on which said projector is located as said projector moves between said two locations according to said amount of error at each location and the existing location of said projector along the length of track, said adjusting means including first recording means for recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amounts of error at each of said two locations and for indicating at a given moment in time the location of said projector along said length of railroad track, said first means for recording the amounts of error comprising two positive and negative voltage sources and voltage control means for controlling the amount of voltage from each source, each of said amounts corresponding to the amount of error at one of said two locations, said first means for indicating the location of said projector comprising a movable electrical take-off arm contacting a resistance member of a potentiometer and means for moving said take-off arm along said resistance a distance depending on the distance travelled by said projector from one of said two locations, and means for interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis of the recorded amounts of error and the recorded location of said projector, wherein, when said projector travels over track yet to be aligned, said projector traces a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, whereby in operation said projector is moved over track yet to be aligned and projects a reference beam to said receiver, the position of said piece of track is indicated to said receiver by the position of said shadowboard relative to said reference beam, said receiver indicates to said track aligning means the direction in which said track is to be moved in order that said track is correctly alIgned, and said track aligning means moves said track in said direction to correctly align said track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lining system according to claim 1 wherein said amount of voltage is applied through said voltage control means to each end of said resistance fron one of said two sources and said interpolating means includes said resistance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
A lining system according to claim 2 wherein said adjusting means further includes a motor operatively connected to adjust the position of said projector, a differential amplifier electrically connected to said take-off arm to receive a first signal therefrom, the voltage of said first signal corresponding to the interpolated error in alignment at the location of the projector, second recording means for recording the existing position of said projector relative to the adjacent track on which the projector is travelling and for creating a second signal having a voltage corresponding to said existing position, said amplifier being electrically connected to receive said second signal, whereby said amplifier emits a third signal which causes said motor to operate whenever there is a difference in the voltage of said first and second signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
318 words
A lining system for correctly aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations along a correct line, the amounts of error in the alignment of the track relative to said correct line at said two locations having been determined, comprising a first car, a reference beam projector mounted on said first car, a second car, a reference beam receiver mounted on said second car, a shadowboard mounted on support means to indicate the position of adjacent track by the extent of interference of said shadowboard with a beam directed from said projector to said receiver, track aligning menas for moving said track in a direction indicated by said receiver, means for recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations said amounts of error in the alignment of said track and for indicating at a given moment in time the distance of said projector from one of said two locations, interpolating means for forming an electrical signal, the size of said signal depending on said amounts of error and said distance, means for adjusting the position of said projector in the transverse direction of the track relative to the track over which said projector travels in response to said signal, whereby in operation said first car travels ahead of said track aligning means and shadowboard over track yet to be correctly aligned, said receiver travels behind said track aligning means and shadowboard over track in correct alignment, said projector is continuously moved by said adjusting means in response to said signal such that said projector travels along a path generally parallel to the correct path for said track, said projector projects a beam at said receiver, said shadowboard indicates to said receiver the position of the adjacent track, and said track aligning means moves said track in the direction indicated by said receiver such that said track is aligned along said correct path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
318 words
A lining system for correctly aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations along a correct line, the amounts of error in the alignment of the track relative to said correct line at said two locations having been determined, comprising a first car, a reference beam projector mounted on said first car, a second car, a reference beam receiver mounted on said second car, a shadowboard mounted on support means to indicate the position of adjacent track by the extent of interference of said shadowboard with a beam directed from said projector to said receiver, track aligning menas for moving said track in a direction indicated by said receiver, means for recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations said amounts of error in the alignment of said track and for indicating at a given moment in time the distance of said projector from one of said two locations, interpolating means for forming an electrical signal, the size of said signal depending on said amounts of error and said distance, means for adjusting the position of said projector in the transverse direction of the track relative to the track over which said projector travels in response to said signal, whereby in operation said first car travels ahead of said track aligning means and shadowboard over track yet to be correctly aligned, said receiver travels behind said track aligning means and shadowboard over track in correct alignment, said projector is continuously moved by said adjusting means in response to said signal such that said projector travels along a path generally parallel to the correct path for said track, said projector projects a beam at said receiver, said shadowboard indicates to said receiver the position of the adjacent track, and said track aligning means moves said track in the direction indicated by said receiver such that said track is aligned along said correct path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lining system according to claim 4 wherein said interpolating means includes a potentiometer and said means for recording the amounts of error in the alignment of said track includes a positive and negative voltage source and a control mechanism for controlling the amount of voltage applied to said potentiometer by said voltage source whereby said amount of voltage is varied in proportion to said amounts of error.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lining system according to claim 4 wherein said interpolating means includes a potentiometer and said recording means includes two positive and negative voltage sources and voltage control means for controlling the amount of voltage applied to said potentiometer by each of said voltage sources whereby the amount of voltage from each source is varied in proportion to the amount of error at one of said two locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lining system according to claim 5 whereIn said adjusting means includes an amplifier connected to receive the output signal of said potentiometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A lining system according to claim 6 wherein said potentiometer has a resistance and a movable take-off arm which contacts said resistance at a predetermined location along the length of said resistance and said indicating means moves said take-off arm to said predetermined location, said predetermined location depending on the distance of said projector from said one of said two locations.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations so that said track follows a correct line, the amounts of error in the alignment of the track relative to said correct line at both of said two locations having been determined beforehand, comprising moving a reference beam projector along the track yet to be aligned and between said two locations, recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amounts of error at each of said two locations and indicating at a given moment in time the distance travelled by said projector from one of said two locations on recording means, interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis on the recorded amounts of error and the indicated location of said projector, continually adjusting the perpendicular horizontal distance of said projector from the track over which said projector is moving as said projector moves between said two locations, the amount of adjustment at any moment in time depending on said interpolated error, in order that said projector has a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, projecting a reference beam from said projector to a suitable receiver positioned adjacent correctly aligned track, determining the correct position for a piece of track located between said projector and said receiver by the position of a shadowboard located along the line of projection of said reference beam relative to said reference beam, and moving said piece of track to said correct position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations so that said track follows a correct line, the amounts of error in the alignment of the track relative to said correct line at both of said two locations having been determined beforehand, comprising moving a reference beam projector along the track yet to be aligned and between said two locations, recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amounts of error at each of said two locations and indicating at a given moment in time the distance travelled by said projector from one of said two locations on recording means, interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis on the recorded amounts of error and the indicated location of said projector, continually adjusting the perpendicular horizontal distance of said projector from the track over which said projector is moving as said projector moves between said two locations, the amount of adjustment at any moment in time depending on said interpolated error, in order that said projector has a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, projecting a reference beam from said projector to a suitable receiver positioned adjacent correctly aligned track, determining the correct position for a piece of track located between said projector and said receiver by the position of a shadowboard located along the line of projection of said reference beam relative to said reference beam, and moving said piece of track to said correct position.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
349 words
A method of aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations so that said track follows a correct line, the amounts of error in the alignment of the track relative to said correct line at said two locations having been determined, comprising moving a reference beam projector along the track yet to be aligned between said two locations, recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amount of error at each of said two locations and indicating at a given moment in time the distance travelled by said projector from one of said two locations on recording means, said recording means comprising two sources of positive and negative voltage and voltage control means for controlling the amount of voltage from each of said sources applied to a potentiometer having a resistance member, said amounts of error at each location being recorded by applying a corresponding voltage from each of said sources to said potentiometer, said distance travelled by said projector being indicated by a movable take-off member of said potentiometer which contacts said resistance, the position of said moving member with respect to said resistance corresponding to the distance travelled by said projector, interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis of the recorded amounts of error and the indicated location of said projector, continually adjusting the perpendicular horizontal distance of said projector from the track over which said projector is moving as said projector moves between said two locations, the amount of adjustment at any moment in time depending on said interpolated error, in order that said projector has a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, projecting a reference beam from said projector to a suitable receiver positioned adjacent correctly aligned track, determining the correct position for a piece of trAck located between said projector and said receiver by the position of a shadowboard located along the line of projection of said reference beam relative to said reference beam, and moving said piece of track to said correct position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
349 words
A method of aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations so that said track follows a correct line, the amounts of error in the alignment of the track relative to said correct line at said two locations having been determined, comprising moving a reference beam projector along the track yet to be aligned between said two locations, recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amount of error at each of said two locations and indicating at a given moment in time the distance travelled by said projector from one of said two locations on recording means, said recording means comprising two sources of positive and negative voltage and voltage control means for controlling the amount of voltage from each of said sources applied to a potentiometer having a resistance member, said amounts of error at each location being recorded by applying a corresponding voltage from each of said sources to said potentiometer, said distance travelled by said projector being indicated by a movable take-off member of said potentiometer which contacts said resistance, the position of said moving member with respect to said resistance corresponding to the distance travelled by said projector, interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis of the recorded amounts of error and the indicated location of said projector, continually adjusting the perpendicular horizontal distance of said projector from the track over which said projector is moving as said projector moves between said two locations, the amount of adjustment at any moment in time depending on said interpolated error, in order that said projector has a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, projecting a reference beam from said projector to a suitable receiver positioned adjacent correctly aligned track, determining the correct position for a piece of trAck located between said projector and said receiver by the position of a shadowboard located along the line of projection of said reference beam relative to said reference beam, and moving said piece of track to said correct position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
371 words
A lining system for aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations along a correct line, the amounts of error relative to said correct line in the alignment of the track at said two locations having been determined, comprising a reference beam projector mounted on first support means for travel over track, a reference beam receiver mounted on second support means for travel over track, a shadowboard mounted on further support means to indicate the position of a piece of track being aligned to said receiver, said shadowboard being located between said projector and said receiver along the intended line of projection of the reference beam, track aligning means for moving said piece of track in a direction indicated by said receiver, means for continually adjusting the location of said projector in the transverse direction of the track relative to the adjacent track on which said projector is located as said projector moves between said two locations, said adjusting means including first recording means for recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amounts of error at each of said two locations and for indicating at a given moment in time the location of said projector along said length of railroad track and means for interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis on the recorded amounts of error and the recorded location of said projector, the continual adjustment in the location of said projector depending directly on the amount of the interpolated error such that, when said projector travels over track yet to be aligned, said projector traces a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, whereby in operation said projector is moved over track yet to be aligned and projects a reference beam to said receiver, the position of said piece of track is indicated to said receiver by the position of said shadowboard relative to said reference beam, said receiver indicates to said track aligning means the direction in which said track is to be moved in order that said track is correctly aligned, and said track aligning means moves said track in said direction to correctly align said track.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
371 words
A lining system for aligning a length of railroad track extending between two locations along a correct line, the amounts of error relative to said correct line in the alignment of the track at said two locations having been determined, comprising a reference beam projector mounted on first support means for travel over track, a reference beam receiver mounted on second support means for travel over track, a shadowboard mounted on further support means to indicate the position of a piece of track being aligned to said receiver, said shadowboard being located between said projector and said receiver along the intended line of projection of the reference beam, track aligning means for moving said piece of track in a direction indicated by said receiver, means for continually adjusting the location of said projector in the transverse direction of the track relative to the adjacent track on which said projector is located as said projector moves between said two locations, said adjusting means including first recording means for recording while said projector moves along the track between said two locations the amounts of error at each of said two locations and for indicating at a given moment in time the location of said projector along said length of railroad track and means for interpolating the error in alignment of the track at the location of the projector on the basis on the recorded amounts of error and the recorded location of said projector, the continual adjustment in the location of said projector depending directly on the amount of the interpolated error such that, when said projector travels over track yet to be aligned, said projector traces a path of movement generally parallel to said correct line, whereby in operation said projector is moved over track yet to be aligned and projects a reference beam to said receiver, the position of said piece of track is indicated to said receiver by the position of said shadowboard relative to said reference beam, said receiver indicates to said track aligning means the direction in which said track is to be moved in order that said track is correctly aligned, and said track aligning means moves said track in said direction to correctly align said track.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3706284A
Cited
US3604117A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |