A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

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.

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.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A relay assembly comprises a vital relay used in a vital circuit and configured to be rack-installed in an equipment room in a railroad case or a railroad housing for providing a modular solid-state current-limiting. The relay assembly further comprises a plurality of vital relay contacts to which a current flow is restricted by a single supply solid-state current limiter. The relay assembly further comprises a relay socket base assembly coupled to the vital relay. The relay socket base assembly includes a relay socket base including a plurality of vital relay contact prongs, a plug assembly including a plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) mounted contact terminals, and a plurality of contact terminals that provide a connection between the plurality of vital relay contact prongs and the plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) mounted contact terminals. The relay assembly further comprises an ancillary electrical control module.

A relay assembly comprises a vital relay used in a vital circuit and configured to be rack-installed in an equipment room in a railroad case or a railroad housing for providing a modular solid-state current-limiting. The relay assembly further comprises a plurality of vital relay contacts to which a current flow is restricted by a single supply solid-state current limiter. The relay assembly further comprises a relay socket base assembly coupled to the vital relay. The relay socket base assembly includes a relay socket base including a plurality of vital relay contact prongs, a plug assembly including a plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) mounted contact terminals, and a plurality of contact terminals that provide a connection between the plurality of vital relay contact prongs and the plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) mounted contact terminals. The relay assembly further comprises an ancillary electrical control module.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.