B61L3/12

WIRELESS VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
20210078621 · 2021-03-18 · ·

A transportation system is provided. The system includes: a highway vehicle, a first set of highway points located along a path of the vehicle, a second set of highway points located along a traffic signal section, at least one RFID tag located at each of the first set and the second set of highway points, and at least one RFID tag reader located on the highway vehicle connected to a network. The at least one RFID tag located at the first set of highway points is configured to store dynamic and static characteristics of the highway vehicle as it passes the first set of highway points and the at least one RFID tag located at the second set of highway points is configured to store dynamic and static characteristics of the vehicle as it passes the second set of highway points.

DIGITAL CONTEXT-AWARE DATA COLLECTION

Examples relate to digital context aware (DCA) data collection. In some examples, a DCA start location component is positioned at a first location along a travel route, and a DCA end location component is positioned at a second location along the travel route. In response to using a wireless interface to detect the DCA start location component, data collection of measurements by a sensor are initiated. In response to using the wireless interface to detect the DCA end location component, the data collection by the sensor is halted.

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.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VIRTUAL TRIP STOPS IN TRAIN NETWORKS
20210206407 · 2021-07-08 ·

Systems and methods are provided for virtual trip stops in train networks. The rail network includes one or more wayside control units configured for deployment on or near tracks in the rail network, with each wayside control unit coupled or attached to a train signal, and the train-based control unit is configured to communicate with any wayside control unit that comes within communication range of the train-based control unit, determine based on processing of communicated signals with at least one wayside control unit one or both of operation information relating to one or both of the at least one wayside control unit and the train and state information relating to a state of train signal, and generate based on the operation information and the state information, control information configured for use in controlling one or more functions of the train in conjunction with operation in the rail network.

Energy supply device for a switch machine and method for supplying energy to and controlling a switch machine
10875555 · 2020-12-29 · ·

An energy supply device for a switch machine is configured to be fed a direct voltage and to provide an alternating voltage suitable for the switch machine. Accordingly, in order to be able to produce a railway switch more economically, the energy supply device is configured to control the switch machine.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A BALISE AND A GUIDED VEHICLE FROM CROSS-TALK
20200385035 · 2020-12-10 ·

An on-board device is configured for reading a telegram of a balise installed at a point along a route followed by a guided vehicle in which the on-board device is to be installed. The on-board device includes a receiver having an antenna for picking up the telegram transmitted by the balise and delivering a reception signal to a processing unit. The processing unit is configured for processing the reception signal in order to read the telegram sent by the balise. A test component is configured for adding a test signal to the reception signal before its processing by the processing unit. The test signal is configured to act as a noise for limiting a sensitivity of the receiver, making it therefore impossible to read a cross-talk signal. A method for protecting the on-board device from cross-talk is also provided.

Train information management device and door control system

A train information management device sends and receives information to and from both a train-controlling in-vehicle wireless station for controlling an operation of a train, and a door-controlling in-vehicle wireless station for controlling vehicle doors. The device includes a wireless train control unit, an automatic operation unit, and a door control unit. The wireless train control unit receives route information represented by a consecutive block sequence and information on a stop limit location that the train may reach without hindering a preceding train, and if this route information includes a station block number, consults an in-vehicle database to extract, before the train arrives at a platform, an arrival track where the train is to stop, a stop target location at a stop station dependent on a travel direction of the train, and which of the vehicle doors is to be opened, and stops the train in accordance with the route information.

Systems and methods for using a railroad rail as radiating element for transmitting wireless communications signals
10858020 · 2020-12-08 · ·

A railroad communication system includes a radio transmitter for generating radio communications signals and a length of railroad rail coupled to the radio transmitter. The length of rail is disposed on a set of nonconductive railroad ties to form a transmission line for radiating the radio communications signals to a radio receiver in a vicinity of the length of railroad rail.

Wireless train management system
10850753 · 2020-12-01 · ·

A robust system processor comprising three parallel processors, each configured to process in parallel an input and emit an output; and a reconciler that compares the three outputs, determines whether at least two of the outputs are equal, and if so validates the majority output and communicates the validated output via a network to at least one other system processor.