Method of detecting obstacles on railways and preventing train accidents

Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for detecting obstacles on railways and stopping the train to prevent collision with the obstacle. The detecting device in or on the train is following the rails and detecting any obstacle on the rails. The image of the rails with obstacle is sent to a computer, analyzed, directing the detecting device to the rails and sending the images to a monitor and alarm the driver by an alarming system to actuate the brakes and stop the train before hitting the obstacle. The computer may also actuate the brakes automatically and stop the train before hitting the obstacle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper view of a train running on rails with an obstacle in front of it.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a train running on rails with an obstacle in front of it.

FIG. 3 shows a monitor with the image of the rails on its center and an image of an obstacle on the image of the rails.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the control system of the obstacle detection and train stopping system.

Claims

1. A method for detecting obstacles on railways and stopping the train to prevent collision with the obstacle comprising: at least one detecting device in or on the train to follow the rails and take images while running,a computing system to analyze the images of the rails and detecting the rails and any obstacle on them,a monitor to show the images of the rails and a detected obstacle,an alarm system to be actuated when an obstacle is detected,a braking system of the train.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting device is a day-night, camera.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting device is a radar device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting device is a laser device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one detecting device is an ultrasonic detector or any other type.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said braking system of the train is manually operated.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said braking system of the train is automatically operated when an obstacle is detected.

8. A detecting system for detecting obstacles on railways and stopping the train to prevent collision with the obstacle comprising: at least one detecting device in or on the train to follow the rails and take images while running,a computing system to analyze the images of the rails and detecting the rails and any obstacle on them,a monitor to show the images of the rails and a detected obstacle,an alarm system to be actuated when an obstacle is detected,a braking system of the train.

9. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said at least one detecting device is a day-night camera.

10. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said at least one detecting device is a radar device.

11. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said at least one detecting device is a laser device.

12. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said at least one detecting device is an ultrasonic detector or any other type of detector.

13. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said alarming system is of any type.

14. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said braking system of the train is manually operated by the alarmed operator, before hitting a detected obstacle.

15. The detecting and stopping system of claim 8 wherein said braking system of the train is automatically operated when an obstacle is detected.