System and method for optical locomotive decoupling detection

Abstract

An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: an optical sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by an optical sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler.

1 . An apparatus for indicating whether a first coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or an uncoupled state, the apparatus comprising:
 a visual sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled state or an uncoupled state, the coupled or uncoupled state indicating a proximity or presence of a portion of a second coupler within a receiving area of the first coupler.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the signal provided by the sensor is responsive to the wavelengths of light outside of the human-visible spectrum. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the visual sensor comprises a charge-coupled device whose field-of-view includes the coupler. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises an optical target configured to present a predetermined optical pattern within the field-of-view of the visual sensor. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the coupler includes a predetermined optical pattern within the field-of-view of the visual sensor. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined optical pattern is disposed upon the coupler using a surface treatment. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein the surface treatment is fluorescent and the apparatus includes an illumination source whose emitted wavelengths of light are in the ultraviolet spectrum. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a control algorithm for determining whether the coupler is in a coupled or an uncoupled state. 
   
   
       10 . A system for detecting whether a coupler of a locomotive is coupled to another rail car, the system comprising:
 a sensing device configured to provide a signal indicative of a coupling state of the coupler;   a wireless transmitter in operable communication with the sensing device, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive and transmit the signal; and   a status detection system configured to receive the signal from the wireless transmitter, the status detection system comprising:   a controller including image processing algorithms for determining whether the video signals depict a coupled or uncoupled locomotive; and   a storage medium,   wherein the sensing device is a video camera configured to provide video signals to the controller.   
   
   
       11 . The system as in  claim 10 , further comprising an illumination source configured to illuminate the coupler. 
   
   
       12 . The system as in  claim 11 , wherein the illumination source provides illumination wavelengths outside of the human-visible spectrum. 
   
   
       13 . The system as in  claim 10 , further including an optical target disposed upon the coupler and having a predetermined optical pattern. 
   
   
       14 . The system as in  claim 10 , wherein the coupler includes a predetermined optical pattern within the field-of-view of the visual sensor. 
   
   
       15 . The system as in  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined optical pattern is disposed upon the coupler using a surface treatment. 
   
   
       16 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein the surface treatment is fluorescent and the system further comprises an illumination source whose emitted wavelengths of light are in the ultraviolet spectrum. 
   
   
       17 . The system as in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a display device, wherein the controller is configured to provide a graphical indication of the coupling state on the display device, wherein the graphical indication provides real time status of the locomotive.   
   
   
       18 . A method for determining whether a coupler of a locomotive engine is coupled, the method comprising:
 configuring a video camera to provide video signals indicative of either a coupled or uncoupled state of the coupler;   transmitting the video signals wirelessly to a controller;   processing the video signals with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and   providing visually perceivable indication of the coupled or uncoupled state of the coupler.   
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 programming the controller with image processing algorithms for determining whether the video signals depict a coupled or uncoupled locomotive.   
   
   
       20 . The method as in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 disposing an optical target having a predetermined optical pattern upon the coupler.   
   
   
       21 . The method as in  claim 20 , further comprising:
 illuminating the coupler with a light source.   
   
   
       22 . The method as in  claim 21 , wherein the light source provides illumination wavelengths outside of the human-visible spectrum.