The invention concerns a control and monitoring device for a switch machine of a railway switch comprising: a power supply for providing a switch motor of the switch machine with a current, the switch motor being adapted to move points of the railway switch, a relay having a primary contact connected electrically to the power supply via at least one line and a secondary contact adapted to be electrically connected to the switch motor; the relay being adapted to switch on and off the power provided to the switch motor; at least one current sensor adapted to sense the current to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; at least one voltage sensor adapted to sense a voltage to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; a monitoring module connected to the at least one current sensor and the at least one voltage sensor, wherein the monitoring module is adapted to record the measured current and voltage values.

A railroad switch circuit controller assembly includes a switch frame configured to be mounted to a stock rail, and a switch controller held by the switch frame. The switch controller includes at least one switching mechanism. The switch controller includes a point detection rod operatively connected to the at least one switching mechanism. The point detection rod extends a length from a proximate end portion to a distal end portion. The proximate end portion of the point detection rod is located closer to the stock rail as compared to the distal end portion when the switch frame is mounted to the stock rail. The railroad switch circuit controller assembly also includes a switch foot configured to be mounted to a switch rail, and an external rod operatively connected between the switch foot and the point detection rod of the switch controller such that the external rod is configured to translate linear movement of the switch foot toward and away from the stock rail to the point detection rod. The external rod is connected to the proximate end portion of the point detection rod.

Provided is a hydraulic railroad switch machine that incorporates a lock-spring assembly, a point-detection and display system, a connector rod assembly, and a hydraulic system to overcome disadvantages associated with throw-out linkages.

This invention relates generally to a device which utilizes a solar powered Internet of Things (IoT) technology to remotely monitor the position of railroad switches and derails and send updates by cellular signal to a database via a cloud platform. This new and novel technology allows for cost effective remote monitoring of railroad switch points and derails in dark territory without the need for wayside power or radio communication equipment. The device is also capable of being integrated with dispatch CAD (computer automated dispatch), wayside signalization, positive train control devices, automatic alert generations, active warning devices, crossing gates, as well as power assisted railroad switches.

Method for monitoring at least one point system of a railway network comprising the steps of placing several sensors in correspondence of said at least one point system; acquiring from said sensors current and voltage signals of a point machine during a maneuver; and segmenting the signals of the maneuver according to different predetermined phases of movement. Then extracting predetermined features from each segment; comparing the extracted features with a set of predetermined values which represent a healthy maneuver, thus obtaining a global indicator representative of the conditions of the maneuver at the point system; and comparing said global indicator with a failure threshold, and if it exceeds said failure threshold, detecting a failure in the point system.

A switching apparatus comprising a point detector connecting rod connected at one end to a switch machine and to at least one point at the opposite end. The point detector connecting rod is attached to the point via an angled block that permits a sliding motion relative to the point.

A switch device for moving switch rails. The switch device includes a motor operatively coupled to move the switch rails into and between first and second positions. The motor is configured for electricity to flow therethrough along a first path and a second path. A first path relay has two normally open contacts each within the first path, where activating the first path relay closes the two normally open contacts thereof. A second path relay has two normally open contacts each within the second path, where activating the second path relay closes the two normally open contacts thereof. The motor moves the switch rails towards the first position when the first path relay is activated and the second path relay is deactivated, and the motor moves the switch rails towards the second position when the second path relay is activated and the first path relay is deactivated.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for measuring a railroad of a transfer vehicle to check the installation status of the railroad to ensure that the railroad of the transfer vehicle is installed in accordance with specifications. The apparatus may include a body formed in correspondence with a railroad of the transfer vehicle, a detector provided to the body and arranged in contact with the railroad, and a displacement measurer configured to measure a displacement of the detector in contact with the railroad.

A detection and indication system for use in a railway switch machine which utilizes one or more roller members which physically interact with a point detector bar coupled to one or more switch points to provide an indication of a point failure upon movement of the point detector bar a predetermined distance from an initial position. The system includes a mounting structure structured to be coupled to a housing of the switch machine and a first sensing device coupled to the mounting structure. The first sensing device is positioned and structured to detect movement of the point detector bar a second predetermined distance from the initial position, wherein the second predetermined distance is less than the first predetermined distance.

A contact system employs a swing link (1) to drive set of movable contacts (5) to engage with a left or right set of contacts (24, 25) respectively on two sides thereof, so as to achieve indication of a separate or closure position. Particularly, a drive shaft (2) along with an operating plate (3) and a snap plate (4) on the drive shaft (2) are driven by the swing link (1) to change a motion trajectory of a roller (10) on a movable contact shaft (12), aided by action of a snap-action claw (11) and a tension spring (9), thereby achieving, quick action of set of movable contacts (5), and realizing a contact with or disconnection from set of fixed contacts (6) to achieve indication of the separation or in closure position. The system has a simple structure and a small size, responds quickly and accurately, and is cheap to manufacture, install, and maintain.