B61L23/06

RAIL WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD
20210323591 · 2021-10-21 ·

The present disclosure generally relates to a rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses a chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators, of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAIL WORKER AND RAIL VEHICLE WARNING AND POSITION DETERMINATION

System and methods are provided for warning a worker of a rail vehicle, or an operator of the rail vehicle of the worker. The system includes a worker device, a vehicle device, and a central server. The devices and server operate on one or a combination of actual or simulated satellite navigational signals, and beacon signals to determine the position of the devices, to generate a warning. The position determination may prioritize beacon signals over satellite navigation signals. The position determination may involve correcting a calculated position based on a measured power level of the beacon signal received from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous beacon signal was last received by the device from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous satellite navigation signal was received by the device, or an accuracy of the position of the device based on the satellite navigation signal.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAIL WORKER AND RAIL VEHICLE WARNING AND POSITION DETERMINATION

System and methods are provided for warning a worker of a rail vehicle, or an operator of the rail vehicle of the worker. The system includes a worker device, a vehicle device, and a central server. The devices and server operate on one or a combination of actual or simulated satellite navigational signals, and beacon signals to determine the position of the devices, to generate a warning. The position determination may prioritize beacon signals over satellite navigation signals. The position determination may involve correcting a calculated position based on a measured power level of the beacon signal received from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous beacon signal was last received by the device from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous satellite navigation signal was received by the device, or an accuracy of the position of the device based on the satellite navigation signal.

Localization using Millimeter Wave Beam Attributes for Railway Applications

A system for railway applications using beamforming transmission in a millimeter wave spectrum between antennas of a Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system and devices in an environment. Performing a beam training with a target device of the devices located in the environment to measure beam signal values and environmental responses for different beams transmitted over the different beam angles using control circuitry connected with the antennas. Control circuitry selects, in response to the beam training, at least one dominant angle for a beamforming communication with the target device. Access stored fingerprinting data that includes values indicative of link attributes associated with beam signal measurements with states of devices and states of environments. Estimating from the mapping stored fingerprinting data, a state of the target device and/or a state of the environment, corresponding to environmental responses for different beams estimated during the beam training.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAIL WORKER AND RAIL VEHICLE WARNING AND POSITION DETERMINATION

System and methods are provided for warning a worker of a rail vehicle, or an operator of the rail vehicle of the worker. The system includes a worker device, a vehicle device, and a central server. The devices and server operate on one or a combination of actual or simulated satellite navigational signals, and beacon signals to determine the position of the devices, to generate a warning. The position determination may prioritize beacon signals over satellite navigation signals. The position determination may involve correcting a calculated position based on a measured power level of the beacon signal received from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous beacon signal was last received by the device from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous satellite navigation signal was received by the device, or an accuracy of the position of the device based on the satellite navigation signal.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAIL WORKER AND RAIL VEHICLE WARNING AND POSITION DETERMINATION

System and methods are provided for warning a worker of a rail vehicle, or an operator of the rail vehicle of the worker. The system includes a worker device, a vehicle device, and a central server. The devices and server operate on one or a combination of actual or simulated satellite navigational signals, and beacon signals to determine the position of the devices, to generate a warning. The position determination may prioritize beacon signals over satellite navigation signals. The position determination may involve correcting a calculated position based on a measured power level of the beacon signal received from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous beacon signal was last received by the device from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous satellite navigation signal was received by the device, or an accuracy of the position of the device based on the satellite navigation signal.

RAILWAY SAFETY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONAL WARNINGS
20210107542 · 2021-04-15 ·

Systems and devices that will notify train system maintenance workers of an approaching vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of train systems of train system maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track. Embodiments of the safety systems and methods disclosed herein may use proportional warnings based on the speed or proximity of approaching vehicles as well as the specific location of such approaching vehicles relative to worker positions to help avoid worker warning fatigue.

RAILWAY SAFETY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONAL WARNINGS
20210107542 · 2021-04-15 ·

Systems and devices that will notify train system maintenance workers of an approaching vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of train systems of train system maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track. Embodiments of the safety systems and methods disclosed herein may use proportional warnings based on the speed or proximity of approaching vehicles as well as the specific location of such approaching vehicles relative to worker positions to help avoid worker warning fatigue.

RAILWAY SAFETY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE WITH TRACK AND DIRECTION INFORMATION
20210114638 · 2021-04-22 ·

Systems and devices that will notify train system maintenance workers of an approaching vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of train systems of train system maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track. Embodiments of the safety systems and methods disclosed herein may use track and direction information and/or LiDAR to assist in determining vehicle positioning and/or speed particularly where there are two or more possible tracks or vehicle paths in close proximity to each other.

RAILWAY SAFETY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE WITH TRACK AND DIRECTION INFORMATION
20210114638 · 2021-04-22 ·

Systems and devices that will notify train system maintenance workers of an approaching vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of train systems of train system maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track. Embodiments of the safety systems and methods disclosed herein may use track and direction information and/or LiDAR to assist in determining vehicle positioning and/or speed particularly where there are two or more possible tracks or vehicle paths in close proximity to each other.