The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
May. 13, 2025

Filed:

Mar. 31, 2023
Applicant:

Bnsf Railway Company, Fort Worth, TX (US);

Inventors:

Michael James Brick, Fort Worth, TX (US);

Lisa Marie Kelly, Weatherford, TX (US);

Samuel Minton, Brandon, SD (US);

Richard William Keller, Spokane Valley, WA (US);

Assignee:

BNSF Railway Company, Fort Worth, TX (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B61L 27/12 (2022.01); B61H 13/34 (2006.01); B61L 15/00 (2006.01); B61L 23/04 (2006.01); B61L 25/06 (2006.01); B61L 27/14 (2022.01); B61L 27/18 (2022.01); B61L 25/02 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B61L 27/12 (2022.01); B61H 13/34 (2013.01); B61L 15/0062 (2024.01); B61L 15/0081 (2013.01); B61L 15/009 (2013.01); B61L 23/041 (2013.01); B61L 25/06 (2013.01); B61L 27/14 (2022.01); B61L 27/18 (2022.01); B61L 25/025 (2013.01); B61L 2205/04 (2013.01);
Abstract

A system and method for automating railroad maintenance by a tie gang using electronic tie marking (ETM) configured to optimize railroad asset maintenance. The system enables collision avoidance between members of the tie gang performing maintenance on railway assets (e.g., Rails, Ties, Ballasts, Turnouts, Crossings, etc.). The system can generate production numbers for the railway assets and evaluate an asset queue for the tie gang to perform maintenance. The system can utilize real-time updates from the tie gang to optimize work output. The system can provide a customizable user interface to identify, track, and process information related to maintenance of the railroad asset. The system also provides for a heads-up-display (HUD) to notify an operator of relevant information, such as maintenance information, travel indicators, and updated asset queue. The system can identify a next location and calculate an optimum path based on sensor input incorporating machine-specific and environmental characteristics.


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