Sense a railcar
Sense a railcar
(OP)
A train of railcars, consisting of a locomotive and 100+ rail cars pass a station point. The train moves at 3mph (~5km/hr).
A sensor is needed for detection of the passing of the engine, the gaps between the rail cars, and presence of a coal car.
The surrounding atmosphere is filled with coal dust, rain, snow and outdoor; northern climate weather conditions.
The sensor cannot be within 9 feet (~3m) of the any edge of a rail car/locomotive.
0.5 second response (presence/absence of car) is the expectation.
The sensor can be mounted top or side.
Optical is not acceptable. Ultrasonic is not trusted.
Reliability is a main criterion, cost is way secondary.
Other ideas?
A sensor is needed for detection of the passing of the engine, the gaps between the rail cars, and presence of a coal car.
The surrounding atmosphere is filled with coal dust, rain, snow and outdoor; northern climate weather conditions.
The sensor cannot be within 9 feet (~3m) of the any edge of a rail car/locomotive.
0.5 second response (presence/absence of car) is the expectation.
The sensor can be mounted top or side.
Optical is not acceptable. Ultrasonic is not trusted.
Reliability is a main criterion, cost is way secondary.
Other ideas?





RE: Sense a railcar
You might get by with an overhead MMW/THz rangefinder. It could profile the centerline of the train. Might need a weight sensor to minimize the on-time of the rangefinder.
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RE: Sense a railcar
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