Reference Measurement System for Rail Applications
A reference measurement system includes a rail vehicle configured to move along rails of a track. An imaging system is disposed on the rail vehicle and is configured to capture one or more images of a reference point. The system further includes a processor, which is configured to calculate a relative position between the rails and the reference point based on the image. Related methods for making reference measurements are described.
1 . A reference measurement system for rail applications, comprising:
a rail vehicle configured to move along rails;
at least one imaging system mounted on the rail vehicle and configured to capture at least one image of a reference point; and
a processor configured to calculate a relative position between the rails and the reference point based on the at least one image.
2 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the relative position between the rails is substantially at a midpoint between the rails and at a level of the lower of the rails.
3 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a distance between the imaging system and the reference point based on the at least one image.
4 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate an elevation between the imaging system and the reference point based on the at least one image.
5 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a tilt angle between the imaging system and the reference point based on the at least one image.
6 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the reference point is a point-shaped object fixed in space and disposed adjacent to the track.
7 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one imaging system comprises two or more cameras positioned at fixed distances from one another.
8 . A reference measurement system according to claim 7 , wherein the two or more cameras capture two or more images of the reference point, the two or more images having objects common to the two or more images.
9 . A reference measurement system according to claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to match the common objects in the two or more images to calculate a relative position between the rails and the reference point.
10 . A reference measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one imaging system comprises one or more cameras.
11 . A reference measurement system according to claim 10 , wherein the one or more cameras are configured to capture images of the reference point at different points in time.
12 . A reference measurement system according to claim 10 , wherein the one or more cameras are configured to change position relative to the rail vehicle to capture multiple perspectives of the reference point.
13 . A reference measurement system according to claim 10 , wherein the one or more cameras includes at least one camera configured to capture a composite image having multiple perspectives of the reference point at the same time.
14 . A method for making a reference measurement in rail applications, comprising:
providing a rail vehicle configured to move along rails, the rail vehicle having at least one imaging system mounted thereon;
capturing at least one image of a reference point using the at least one imaging system; and
determining a relative position between the rails and the reference point based on the at least one image.
15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein determining a relative position between the rails and the reference point comprises determining a distance between the imaging system and the reference point based on the at least one image.
16 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein determining a relative position between the rails and the reference point comprises determining an elevation between the imaging system and the reference point based on the at least one image.
17 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein determining a relative position between the rails and the reference point comprises determining a tilt angle between the imaging system and the reference point based on the at least one image.
18 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein capturing at least one image comprises capturing images of the reference point at different points in time.
19 . A method according to claim 14 , further comprising changing the position of the imaging system to capture multiple perspectives of the reference point.
20 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein capturing at least one image comprises capturing a single composite image having multiple perspectives of the reference point at the same time.