Railway dark territory switch automation

Abstract

The system provides a railroad switch for use in un-signaled (dark) territory. In particular, the system includes a plurality of audio messages maintained on a discrete audio board, where a DTMF signal is validated, initializes the control of a switch, and triggers an audio board to report a correspondence condition, where the output of the audio board is checked by a relay status.

Claims

1. In a vital railroad switching system for a dark territory, a system for wirelessly controlling a railroad switch in a track system that includes tracks in a dark territory, comprising: a device located concurrent with a section of one of said tracks located in the dark territory, wherein the device is configured with following functions: receiving a wireless dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signal sent from a first communications device, and wherein the wireless DTMF signal is generated from a railway vehicle and indicates a desired railroad switch position for a railroad switch, validating the wireless DTMF signal, initiating a control of the railroad switch, checking a relay to determine a relay status, wherein the relay is coupled to the railroad switch, and wherein the railroad switch does not have a switch signal system that in associated with a central dispatch system, determining in a correspondence condition, triggering an audio board to report the correspondence condition via an audio message, which is maintained on a discrete audio board, and an output of the audio board is checked by a relay, reporting the correspondence condition, and reporting, from a wirelessly controlled switch, a status of the railroad switch in a dark territory.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a plurality of relay contacts coupled to relays, and is configured to calculate a system state and to trigger an output that triggers an audio output of the audio board to route through the plurality of relay contacts, and the audio board is configured to vitally report a correspondence condition as normal, reverse, or loss of correspondence.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various aspects of the invention, as well as an embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following detailed description. To better understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings and tables, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a block schematic of one embodiment of the invention's relays.

(3) FIG. 2 is a block schematic of one embodiment of the approach timer circuit.

(4) FIG. 3 is a block schematic of one embodiment of the audio message system.

(5) FIG. 4 is a block schematic of one embodiment of the vital switch point indicator system.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE

(6) Interpretation Considerations

(7) When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter exemplary embodiment), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

(8) Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.

(9) Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

(10) Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that tacking may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as attaching).

(11) Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as or, and, including, or comprising for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words means and step are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and do not mean means or step as defined in 112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as means forfunctioning or step forfunctioning in the Claims section. Sixth, the invention is also described in view of the Festo decisions, and, in that regard, the claims and the invention incorporate equivalents known, unknown, foreseeable, and unforeseeable. Seventh, the language and each word used in the invention should be given the ordinary interpretation of the language and the word, unless indicated otherwise.

(12) As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, various structures and devices are depicted in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. As used, herein and the accompanying drawings, B12 refers to positive 12 volts, and N12 refers to negative 12 volts. Additionally the term set refers to the application of 12 volts (B12), while the term reset refers to the removal of 12 volts.

(13) Some methods of the invention may be practiced by placing the invention on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable mediums include passive data storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) as well as semi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM). In addition, the invention may be embodied in the RAM of a computer and effectively transform a standard computer into a new specific computing machine.

(14) Data elements are organizations of data. One data element could be a simple electric signal placed on a data cable. One common and more sophisticated data element is called a packet. Other data elements could include packets with additional headers/footers/flags. Data signals comprise data, and are carried across transmission mediums and store and transport various data structures, and, thus, may be used to transport the invention. It should be noted in the following discussion that acts with like names are performed in like manners, unless otherwise stated.

(15) Of course, the foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be given their ordinary plain meaning unless indicated otherwise.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(16) Overview

(17) The present invention provides remote switch control utilizing Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) control. Indications to a train (or, more properly, its crewmembers) are provided by single aspect, three color, switch point position indicators and pre-recorded audible messages transmitted via VHF/UHF radios. Preferably, the invention is fully vital (meaning sufficiently reliable to be called vital as the term is defined in the industry). From a functional point of view, the invention provides: switch locking based on time or occupancy, switch point position indicators, and audible messages for lined and locked normal and reverse positions.

(18) Device

(19) A device located concurrent with a section of one of said tracks located in the dark territory, wherein the device is configured with the following functions:

(20) receiving a wireless dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signal send from a first communications device, and wherein the wireless DTMF signal is generated from a railway vehicle and indicates a desired railroad switch position for a railroad switch,

(21) validating the wireless DTMF signal,

(22) initiating a control of the railroad switch,

(23) checking a relay to determine a relay status, wherein the relay is coupled to the railroad switch, and wherein the railroad switch does not have a switch signal system that is associated with a central dispatch system,

(24) determining a correspondence condition,

(25) triggering an audio board to report the correspondence condition via an audio message, which is maintained on a discrete audio board, and an output of the audio board is checked by a relay,

(26) reporting the correspondence condition, and

(27) reporting, from a wirelessly controlled switch, a status of the railroad switch in a dark territory.

(28) The device further comprises a plurality of relay contacts coupled to relays, and wherein the device is configured to calculate a system state and to trigger an output that triggers an audio output of the audio board to route through the plurality of relay contacts, and the audio board is configured to vitally report a correspondence condition as normal, reverse, or loss of correspondence.

(29) Components

(30) The exemplary embodiment may comprise these components/nomenclature: 1. Power Operated Switch: M23, 5H, or Power Operated Hydraulic Spring Switch 2. VHF/UHF Radio 3. DTMF Decoder 4. Individual Environmentally Resilient Radio Boards, one message per board Audio 1: Locked Normal Message Audio 2: Locked Reverse Message Audio 3: Not Lined Message Audio 4: Not Lined Message Audio 5: Restored to Normal Message 5. PLC: Controls Switch, Triggers Audio Messages, Starts Timer 6. Track Circuits (typically four (4) wire) OS1: Main Track over switch points OS2: Diverging/Siding Track 7. Timers 15 Minute Approach 10 Second Loss of Shunt (LOS) for Main Track 8. Relays NWP or NWR (Normal Switch Position Repeater): Driven by switch machine or power operated switch (M23, 5H), switch circuit controller or shelf point detection system on power operated spring switch. RWP or RWR (Reverse Switch Position Repeater): Driven by switch machine or power operated switch (M23, 5H), switch circuit controller or shelf point detection system on power operated spring switch. ASR (Approach Stick Relay): Used to lock switch machine while Approach Timer is running TK1: Repeats OS1 with LOS. Locks Switch Machine. TK2: Repeats OS2. Locks Switch Machine. NWZ: Normal Switch Control RWZ: Reverse Switch Control
Switch Locking

(31) Switch locking is provided by three relays shown in FIG. 1, which is a block schematic of one embodiment of the invention's relays. A first relay TK1 and a second relay TK2 repeat the first track circuit OS1 and the second track circuit OS2 as described in the above-referenced and incorporated patent application. With either or both relays down, the switch cannot be controlled. In addition, the third relay ASR will lock the switch machine and is driven by the Approach Timer shown in FIG. 2.

(32) FIG. 2 is a block schematic of one embodiment of the approach timer circuit. The invention time locks the switch machine by the use of the third relay ASR. The third relay ASR is normally held up by its own contacts and is driven by the LOCK ENABLE output from the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). Once the switch machine is in correspondence, the PLC momentarily drops the LOCK-ENABLE output which forces the third relay ASR to drop, which provides a path to the Approach Timer. The third relay ASR recovers via: 1) the expiration of the fifteen-minute Approach Timer, or 2) the first relay TK1 dropping on a normal move (single section release), or 3) the first relay TK1 and the second relay TK2 dropping on a reverse move (two section release). With the switch occupied, the ASR will recover, but the switch will continue to remain locked by the first relay TK1 and/or the second relay TK2.

(33) Audio Messages

(34) The invention provides audio messages with vital reliability by use of discrete audio boards for the recording and playback of individual messages. Each audio board contains only one message, and is equipped with a trigger, audio output and push to talk output. Each audio board is also environmentally resilient, meaning that each board will operate in temperatures of greater than 120-degrees Fahrenheit, and less than zero-degrees Fahrenheit, and can operate in other recognized environmental extremes. The messages are triggered by the PLC. Routing the audio output of each board through the NWP, RWP and third relay ASR provide the vital audio functions as shown in FIG. 3, which is a block schematic of one embodiment of the audio message system.

(35) For the Audio 1 message to be transmitted, the NWP must be up, the RWP must be down, and the third relay ASR must be down. This occurs only if the switch is in the normal position and the time is locked. For the Audio 2 message to be transmitted, the NWP must be down, the RWP must be up, and the third relay ASR must be down. This occurs if the switch is in the reverse position and the time is locked. The Audio 3 message, Audio 4 message, and Audio 5 messages can be transmitted at any time.

(36) Accordingly, on a controlled normal move, the only valid message is the Audio 1 message. Any other message will require the train to approach prepared to stop. On a controlled reverse move, the only valid message is the Audio 2 message. All other messages require the train to approach prepared to stop.

(37) Indicators

(38) FIG. 4 is a block schematic of one embodiment of the vital switch point indicator system. The invention provides switch point position indicators by routing the PLC outputs for green (normal), and yellow (reverse) through the NWP and RWP relays. Thus, preferably, each of the indicators, the audio messages, and the switch locking are all vital rated.

(39) Operation

(40) In operation, trains approaching an invention-equipped switch to be prepared to stop, unless the switch has been controlled and the correct indication (audio message and/or indicator) has been received. Thus, trains are required to control the location before all movements are made. Although distance from which the location must be controlled vary, the distance is typically two miles and is also typically identified with a passive control sign.

(41) Once the location is controlled and in correspondence, the switch is time locked for fifteen (15) minutes. The location cannot be re-controlled until the time expires or is slotted off by the occupancy of the track circuits. Additionally, once the machine is locked, the correct message (Audio 1 or Audio 2) is transmitted and the appropriate indicators are displayed. By operating rule, the failure to receive a correct message including not receiving any message, requires trains to approach the location prepared to stop. If the switch machine fails to achieve correspondence, the Audio 3 message is transmitted, informing the crew that the switch is not lined correctly. Audio 4 is transmitted when using slow speed switch machines to inform the crew that the control information has been received and that the switch is moving.

(42) Additional Safety Features

(43) The invention continuously monitors the switch position once the switch has been time locked. Any loss of correspondence triggers the Audio 3 message. This message may optionally be repeated at regular intervals until the switch has been returned to correspondence. This provides continuous advance warning if the switch is tampered with after it has been controlled.

(44) The invention also provides an optional Auto Restore. This feature will automatically return the switch to the normal position after a reverse move. Once the switch has been returned the system broadcasts the Audio 5 message (the switch restored message). The switch is not time locked after a restore and is available immediately for re-control.

(45) Closing Caveat

(46) Of course, it should be understood that the order of the acts of the algorithms discussed herein may be accomplished in different order depending on the preferences of those skilled in the art, and such acts may be accomplished as software, and that equivalent methods (and portions of methods) having equivalent or substantially similar ends may be substituted, and are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. Furthermore, though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many advantages, variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims and their equivalents be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.