Patent classifications
B61L1/18
Method for coordinating the operation of motor vehicles
A method for coordinating operation of motor vehicles with a coordination device having a sensor, a computing device and a communication device includes determining from sensor data location and movement information of the motor vehicles, calculating an expected trajectory for each motor vehicle from the location and movement information, checking whether trajectories of different motor vehicles spatially and temporally overlap so as to create a conflict, in the event of a conflict transmitting a driving instruction to at least one motor vehicle, and executing the driving instruction or displaying the driving instruction on a display device of the at least one motor vehicle.
System and method employing joint bypass circuit to test insulated joints in track systems
A system includes a signal system controller electrically connected to a first track section of a first rail of a track system, and electrically connected to a second track section of the first rail, in which the first track section is separated from the second track section by a first rail insulated joint. The signal system controller is configured to transmit a test signal on the first track section and configured to receive the test signal on the second track section to test the first rail insulated joint between the first track section and the second track section.
Route examining system and method
A system includes first and second application devices, a control unit, and at least one processor. The first and second application devices are configured to be at least one of conductively or inductively coupled with one of the conductive tracks. The control unit is configured to control the first and second application devices in order to electrically inject a first examination signal into the conductive tracks via the first application device and a second examination signal into the conductive tracks via the second application device. The at least one processor is configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the first and second conductive tracks in response to the first and second examination signals being injected into the conductive tracks; and to identify a type of fault based upon the one or more electrical characteristics of the first and second conductive tracks.
COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR DETERMINING RAILWAY VEHICLE MOVEMENT PROFILE TYPE OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE MOVEMENT PROFILE AND CONTROLLER OF A TRACK CIRCUIT SYSTEM
A computer implemented method for determining railway vehicle movement profile type of a railway vehicle movement profile, wherein the railway vehicle movement profile includes a sequence of measured transmitted currents of a transceiver of a track circuit with respect to the time, including obtaining a railway vehicle movement profile; normalizing the railway vehicle movement profile; extracting one or more features from the normalized railway vehicle movement profile; determining the distance of the extracted features with respect to each centroid of a railway vehicle movement profile type determined in a classification process; and assigning the railway vehicle movement profile to the railway vehicle movement profile type with the closest centroid.
Fixed block track circuit
An active fixed block track circuit comprises at least a fixed block section, comprising at least two rails corresponding to each other, each having an isolation connector at two ends thereof and connected to a power supply unit and a traffic signal; a short driving unit, connected to each of the two rails within the fixed block section; and a detection unit, connected to the short driving unit. In this manner, not only the previous rail traffic signal circuit function where no more than one train may be allowed into the same fixed block section is maintained, but also another train approaching from the rear may be prevented from entering the fixed block section when the detection unit at the fixed block section detects an exceptional case happening at a neighboring fixed block section so that the traffic signal unit is switched into a stop traffic signal.
COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR DETERMINING RAILWAY VEHICLE MOVEMENT PROFILE TYPE OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE MOVEMENT PROFILE AND CONTROLLER OF A TRACK CIRCUIT SYSTEM
A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium including instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the followings: obtaining a railway vehicle movement profile, wherein the railway vehicle movement profile includes a sequence of measured transmitted currents of a transceiver of a track circuit with respect to time; normalizing the railway vehicle movement profile; extracting one or more features from the normalized railway vehicle movement profile; determining a distance of the extracted features with respect to each centroid of a railway vehicle movement profile type determined in a classification process; and assigning the railway vehicle movement profile to the railway vehicle movement profile type with a closest centroid.
Monitoring system for monitoring a condition of an electric rail system and/or of a current collector of the rail system
An electric rail system includes a current collector mounted for movement along at least one rail of the electric rail system and a monitoring system for detecting a condition indicative of a problem with the rail system or the current collector. The monitoring system includes a detector having one or more of: a camera configured to record images of a portion of the rail system in front of or behind the current collector, at least one vibration sensor on at least one slip contact of the current collector, an optical spark sensor configured to detect sparks in a contact region between the slip contact and the at least one rail, and at least one distance sensor configured to detect a distance between the at least one distance sensor and the at least one rail.
System and method for virtual approach signal restriction upgrade
A system and method for providing a virtual approach signal restriction upgrade between physical signaling components is presented. In one embodiment, in a CTC type of operation, the use of a virtual signal with signal type functionality to split a block into two or more sections can allow a train currently governed by an approach indication to accelerate on a clear indication if the advance signal indication upgrades. The addition of audio frequency type circuits with the advance signal indication can allow a train to upgrade from a restricting indication to an approach or clear indication, while protecting open HT switches, broken rail, hazards, and follow up moves. The present invention provides a system for allowing trains to upgrade from a restricting indication to an approach or clear and accelerate indication with an upgraded PTC track line for the segment.
System for securing communication between central controller and signaling devices in traffic signaling networks
The present disclosure provides a system for securing communication between Central Controller and signaling devices including actuator devices and signaling sensors used in railway and road traffic signaling networks. Conventional signaling systems use unsecured metal cables to communicate between the Central Controller and the signaling devices, making them vulnerable to unauthorized intrusion and mischief. In the present disclosure, two uniquely addressable communication modules, one (SCM1) securely housed with the Central Controller and another (SCM2) securely housed in an assembly also containing the signaling device and the related power switches are used to establish a transparent but standard secure digital communication protocol between them to authenticate and validate mutual communication, making them secure and safe from intrusion and undesirable manipulation.
Method for locating a rail vehicle
A method for locating a rail vehicle with a rail vehicle position determination device on a route includes reading positions of reference marks, passed by the rail vehicle, along the route of the rail vehicle and evaluating additional distance information. In order to locate a rail vehicle with little expenditure and with comparatively high accuracy, in the case of a route with at least one track section bounded by axle counting sensor units and having an axle counting evaluator, information on the number of axles from the axle counting evaluator is transferred to the rail vehicle position determination device for determining the position of a rail vehicle. In the rail vehicle position determination device, the position of an axle of the rail vehicle corresponding to the information on the number of axles is determined using route topology data present there, and this position is used as a further reference mark.