Patent classifications
B61L29/284
GRADE CROSSING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING TRACK CIRCUIT IMPEDANCE
A grade crossing control system includes a track transmitter configured to couple to rails of a railroad track, and a track receiver configured to couple to the rails of the railroad track, wherein the track transmitter comprises a signal source and an amplifier, and is configured to transmit a first signal to the rails, wherein the track receiver is configured to measure a second signal in response to the first signal, and wherein the track transmitter is configured to provide feedback measurement information of the first signal.
Train direction detection apparatus and method
The present invention relates generally to a train direction detection device and a method of determining the direction of travel. The train direction detection device analyzes the characteristics, such as impedance, of an electrical circuit implemented on a railroad to determine the direction of approach of a train. The invention is adapted to integrate with occupancy or grade crossing circuits commonly used by railroads at grade crossings.
Railway road crossing warning system with sensing system electrically-decoupled from railroad track
A railway road crossing warning system (10) including a railway road crossing control unit (18) that may be selectively set to a primary or a secondary mode of operation is provided. In the primary mode of operation, the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to a primary activation signal (21) received from a primary activation-signal source (22), such as a positive train control (PTC) system. In the event the primary activation signal from the primary activation-signal source is not available, railway road crossing control unit (18) is set to the secondary mode of operation, where the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to one or more signals (25) received from a secondary activation-signal source (26) including a railway-vehicle sensing system (28) electrically-decoupled from a railroad track (12). Disclosed embodiments maintain operational robustness in the presence of changing weather and avoid variable electrical ballast conditions that otherwise could develop across the rails, while providing a cost-effective and reliable backup capability for a PTC-started crossing system.
System and method for early train detection
Train detection security system and method for detecting a moving train are provided. The train detection security system includes one or more sensor units fixed to a rail of a rail track. The sensor units are arranged for detecting a first signal induced by a moving train and propagated through the rail. The system further includes a control unit including a signal processor arranged for receiving first sensor output signals representing the first signals from each of the one or more sensor units, processing the first sensor output signals and generating a train warning signal representing characteristics of the moving train based on envelope characteristics of the first sensor output signals.
RAILWAY ROAD CROSSING WARNING SYSTEM WITH SENSING SYSTEM ELECTRICALLY-DECOUPLED FROM RAILROAD TRACK
A railway road crossing warning system (10) including a railway road crossing control unit (18) that may be selectively set to a primary or a secondary mode of operation is provided. In the primary mode of operation, the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to a primary activation signal (21) received from a primary activation-signal source (22), such as a positive train control (PTC) system. In the event the primary activation signal from the primary activation-signal source is not available, railway road crossing control unit (18) is set to the secondary mode of operation, where the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to one or more signals (25) received from a secondary activation-signal source (26) including a railway-vehicle sensing system (28) electrically-decoupled from a railroad track (12). Disclosed embodiments maintain operational robustness in the presence of changing weather and avoid variable electrical ballast conditions that otherwise could develop across the rails, while providing a cost-effective and reliable backup capability for a PTC-started crossing system.
RAILWAY CROSSING AND SIGNALING SYSTEM AND METHOD
What is disclosed is a system and method of providing notice to traffic on a roadway that a railway vehicle traveling on a railway is approaching an intersection between the railway and the roadway. The system uses road modules and/or light strips embedded in or on the surface of the railway. A processor is configured to cause the road modules and/or light strips to illuminate and/or flash. The processor is configured to send the signal to the road module(s) and/or light strip(s) in response to a signal from a transmitter and/or sensor that a railway vehicle is approaching the intersection.
System for securing of safety of railroad crossing against vehicle entry during warning signaling
According the application of the invention when barriers are lowered, first are lowered barrier in front rails after, in adjustable time delay, that barrier behind rails, what allow to vehicles clear out rail area. Sensor advantageously senses area on rails and in case of any obstruction for railway train delays lowering of barriers or stops it till the time when obstruction leaves rails. In the same time it transmits alarm into dispatching of train transport and into coming railway train by means of wireless connection. It simultaneously activates alarm siren and advantageously voice announcement calling for releasing of rails.
Route feature identification system and method
A system includes at least one application device, a control unit, and at least one processor. The at least one application device is conductively or inductively coupled with at least one of a first conductive track or a second conductive track. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current from a power source to the at least one application device to electrically inject at least one examination signal into the conductive tracks. The at least one processor is configured to monitor the one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the first or second conductive tracks, and to identify a construction feature of the route based on the one or more electrical characteristics, wherein the construction feature corresponds to a man-made aspect of the route.
ROUTE FEATURE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system includes at least one application device, a control unit, and at least one processor. The at least one application device is conductively or inductively coupled with at least one of a first conductive track or a second conductive track. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current from a power source to the at least one application device to electrically inject at least one examination signal into the conductive tracks. The at least one processor is configured to monitor the one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the first or second conductive tracks, and to identify a construction feature of the route based on the one or more electrical characteristics, wherein the construction feature corresponds to a man-made aspect of the route.
Train Direction Detection Apparatus and Method
The present invention relates generally to a train direction detection device and a method of determining the direction of travel. The train direction detection device analyzes the characteristics, such as impedance, of an electrical circuit implemented on a railroad to determine the direction of approach of a train. The invention is adapted to integrate with occupancy or grade crossing circuits commonly used by railroads at grade crossings.