Communications: electrical – External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm – Highway information
Patent
1996-06-07
1997-04-08
Mullen, Thomas
Communications: electrical
External condition vehicle-mounted indicator or alarm
Highway information
340580, 340581, G08G 109
Patent
active
056191936
ABSTRACT:
A system and apparatus for detecting and evaluating surface conditions on a road surface from a moving vehicle as disclosed. The system comprises a sensor means for detecting the presence of deposited material on a road surface, detecting means for determining one or more characteristics of the material such as its freezing temperature, process means for converting a detected signal and display means for displaying the condition of the road surface. A first embodiment of the invention includes a collection device for collecting a sample of the surface materials and one or more sensors to detect the freezing point of the material. A second embodiment includes a collection chamber which can be isolated and its contents frozen so that the freeze temperature may be obtained irrespective of knowing the composition of the material. A third embodiment of the present invention includes a remote sensing apparatus which utilizes electromagnetic radiation to sense actual surface material conditions, temperatures, and composition. This information is then processed through a computer in order to determine, preferably while the vehicle is in motion, those additional steps necessary to apply additional materials to the road surface in order to minimize hazardous driving conditions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4274091 (1981-06-01), Decker
patent: 4492952 (1985-01-01), Miller
patent: 4678056 (1987-07-01), Kobari et al.
patent: 5416476 (1995-05-01), Rendon
patent: 5521594 (1996-05-01), Fukushima
Data sheet D251, Aanderaa Instruments, Mar. 1995.
UCRL-MI-120916, Lawrence Livermore National laboratory, Jun. 7, 1995.
Collins William J.
Doherty John A.
Kalbfleisch Charles A.
Keathley Donald P.
Doherty John A.
Mullen Thomas
Wahl John R.
Wu Daniel J.
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