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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 01, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2010
Jeffrey A. Bloom, Silver Spring, MD (US);
Antonio Aquino, Harrison City, PA (US);
Anthony Kim, Laurel, MD (US);
Jacobus Mckenzie, Falls Church, VA (US);
Jennifer Steets, Orrtanna, PA (US);
Jeffrey A. Bloom, Silver Spring, MD (US);
Antonio Aquino, Harrison City, PA (US);
Anthony Kim, Laurel, MD (US);
Jacobus McKenzie, Falls Church, VA (US);
Jennifer Steets, Orrtanna, PA (US);
ENSCO, Falls Church, VA (US);
Abstract
A railroad track inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The railroad track inspection system includes an optical path protection device for a protective window for optical sensors of an optical inspection system when it becomes contaminated with dirt, dust, mud, grease, and other contaminants that block or obscure an optical path of the sensors. The optical path protection device eliminates the need for a human operator to perform the periodic cleaning of the protective window by using a clear film with an automated advancement mechanism for providing clean film, as needed, for keeping the optical path of the optical sensors unobstructed and clear.