Railway detection system for detecting the presence of a railway vehicle on a railway track section comprising at least two rails, the railway track section comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the railway track section, the railway detection system comprising a track circuit system comprising a signal generator electrically coupled to the first end of the railway track section, the signal generator being configured for generating a first track circuit signal to be injected into the railway track section at the first end, wherein the signal generator is adapted to
generate a first component of the first track circuit signal comprising at least one DC pulse;
generate a second component of the first track circuit signal, and
add the first and the second component so as to obtain the first track circuit signal.
An acceleration detection system for a vehicle includes at least one inertial measurement unit, which includes at least one acceleration sensor configured for measuring an acceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration detection system further includes a temperature sensor configured for measuring a temperature of the inertial measurement unit to obtain a measured temperature. A cooler is configured for cooling the inertial measurement unit in function of the measured temperature.
B60T 17/22 - Devices for monitoring or checking brake systemsSignal devices
B60T 8/24 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to vehicle inclination or change of direction, e.g. negotiating bends
B60T 8/32 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration
3.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRAIN TRAVELLING ALONG A RAILWAY LINE
A system and method are for controlling a train traveling along track blocks. A first signal transmitter is installed at a first track block and transmits, using a predefined range of transmission frequencies, first signals for detecting when the train enters the first track block. A second signal transmitter is installed at an adjacent second track block and transmits, using a predefined range of transmission frequencies different from the predefined range of transmission frequencies used by the first signal transmitter, second signals for detecting when the train enters the second track block. One or more signal receivers on board of the train are configured to receive the transmitted first and second signals, and an onboard controller is configured, based on signals supplied by the one or more receivers indicative of the first and second signals received, to identify when the train enters the first or second track blocks.
B61L 23/16 - Track circuits specially adapted for section blocking
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
B61L 13/00 - Operation of signals from the vehicle or by the passage of the vehicle
B61L 15/00 - Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
4.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING TEMPERATURE-RELATED FORCES IN RAILWAY LINES
A method and system are for estimating forces in rails of a railway line which are due to the temperatures of the rails. Values of the electrical resistance of one rail of a railway track section are calculated. Based on the calculated values of the electrical resistance for the rail, corresponding values of the temperature of the rail can be estimated, and based on the estimated values of the temperature of the rail, estimated values of forces acting in the rail due to the temperature values can be estimated.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01J 5/00 - Radiation pyrometry, e.g. infrared or optical thermometry
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
B61L 3/18 - Continuous control along the route using electric current passing between devices along the route and devices on the vehicle or train
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systemsTrackside controlCommunication systems specially adapted therefor
5.
Method for determining a status of a track section of a railroad; associated apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium
A method is for determining a status of a track section of a railroad. Each end of the track section is connected to a respective detector. One of the two detectors transmits a current along the rails of the track section towards the other detector and receives a current transmitted along the rails of the track section from the other detector. The track section is further equipped with a computer in communication with the two detectors. The computer calculates an instant value of the status of the track section as a function of an instant vector based on a measure of an intensity of the current transmitted by a first of the detectors as measured by the first detector (Txl1), a measure of an intensity of the current received by the first detector as measured by the first detector (Rxl1) and a measure of an intensity of the current transmitted by the second detector as measured by the second detector (Txl2).
B61L 25/06 - Indicating or recording the setting of track apparatus, e.g. of points, of signals
G01V 3/02 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detectingMeasuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with propagation of electric current
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
6.
Method, controller and track circuit for determining the relationship between a track-circuit transmitted current signal and a railway vehicle location on a railway track
Method for determining the relationship between a track-circuit current signal and a railway vehicle location, including sending, by a track circuit, a current signal across a railway track block, measuring the current signal for different railway vehicles running successively on the railway track block, thus obtaining a plurality of railway vehicle move samples, normalizing the railway vehicle move samples, initializing a reference curve, and applying a Weighted Dynamic Time Warping Barycenter Averaging algorithm to calculate a final reference curve representing the relationship between the measured track-circuit current signal and the railway vehicle location on the railway track block.
Estimating electrical parameters of a track circuit including a transmitter, a receiver, and a track section between the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter outputs, over the track section towards the receiver, a signal including a data packet part, and the signal received by the receiver is decoded to determine the data packet received. Simulated signals are generated, via a predetermined software model including parameters of the track circuit, by varying an actual value input for the model parameters, each signal generated corresponding to actual values input for the parameters. Each simulated signal is compared with the signal received at a receiver until finding a part of a simulated signal that matches a corresponding part of the signal received at a receiver. The actual parameter values corresponding to the simulated signal that match the signal received at the receiver are estimated as the actual parameters of the track circuit.
Disclosed is a connector including at least: a printed circuit board including preferentially a plurality of stacked layers; a plurality of connecting pins which are spaced apart from each other and transversally pass through the printed circuit board from a bottom external surface up to an opposite top external surface of the printed circuit board; and an insulating assembly for providing insulation among the plurality of connecting pins, wherein the insulating assembly includes at least one insulator which is configured to be coupled to the printed circuit board and is configured to insulate at least a portion of each connection pin from a corresponding portion of one or more adjacent connecting pins of the plurality of connecting pins.
A system for controlling one or more vital wayside devices of a railway network, comprising one or more vital switches, each vital switch being comprised in or operatively connected to an associated device of the one or more vital wayside devices, and a controller which is configured to control the one or more vital wayside devices. The controller is connected to each of the one or more vital switches by means of at least one optical fiber cable and is configured to output one or more light command signals over the at least one optical fiber cable, and each vital switch is configured to switch from an open status to a closed status to provide power and ground to the associated vital wayside device upon receiving at least one corresponding light command signal outputted by the controller for commanding an action of the associated vital wayside device.
Method and controller for determining the relationship between a track-circuit transmitted current signal and a railway vehicle location on a railway track
Disclosed is a method for determining the relationship between a track-circuit current signal and a railway vehicle location, including: sending, by a track circuit, current signal across a railway track block; measuring the current signal for different railway vehicles running successively on the railway track block; aligning the measured current signals and calculating a reference curve as the average value of all the aligned curves by using a Dynamic Time Warping algorithm, this reference curve representing the relationship between the track-circuit current signal and the railway vehicle location on the railway track block.
A wayside to railway vehicle communication method including providing a first wayside device with a transmitter device capable of transmitting a data packet message to a railway vehicle travelling along a section of a railway track, through an electric waveform put into a rail of the section, and sending at least one message from the transmitter device to the railway vehicle, wherein the at least one message corresponds to the conversion of the data packet into a modulated electric waveform, the data packet including several data bits providing information relative to a plurality of speed limits the railway vehicle has to respect while travelling along respective portions of the section.
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
12.
Method, system, and computer-readable medium comprising software code for communicating data from a transmitter to a receiver via a physical transmission medium, and related railway track circuit
Method and system for communicating data between a transmitter and a receiver via a physical transmission medium interposed there between, wherein the transmitter outputs over the transmission medium towards the receiver, a predefined precursor signal followed by a target signal carrying data packet. Based on the precursor signal received at the receiver, estimated values of actual electrical parameters of the physical transmission medium are computed via a predetermined model of the physical transmission medium, wherein the computed estimated values of the electrical parameters are indicative of a distortion caused by the physical transmission medium on the predefined precursor signal outputted by the transmitter. The data packets originally outputted by the transmitter are estimated based on the computed estimated values of the actual electrical parameters and on the target signal received at the receiver.
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring an electromechanical relay, wherein the electromechanical relay includes a relay coil for actuating at least one switch, the system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to measure an operating condition of the electromechanical relay, wherein the sensor is arranged adjacent or attached to the electromechanical relay; at least one controller communicatively connected to the at least one sensor and at least one memory, wherein the at least one controller is adapted to store the measured operating condition in the at least one memory; at least one transmitter, operatively connected to the controller, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the stored measured operating condition to a remote device.
H01H 47/00 - Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the relay and designed to obtain desired operating characteristics or to provide energising current
14.
Method, system, and software code for calibration of rail track circuits, and related rail track circuit
Method, system and software code for calibrating a rail track circuit comprising a plurality of rails coupled to form a track section having a predefined length, a transmit processing unit coupled to the track section at a first end of the track section, and a receive processing unit coupled at the second end of the track section. A transfer function between a transmit voltage applied by the transmit processing unit at the track section and a resulting receive current detected at the receive processing unit is first determined and then applied to the rail track circuit for automatic initial calibration or recalibration.
A method for locating a railway vehicle includes: measuring an acoustic signature of a railway vehicle passing over a railway switch for switching between a first railway track and a second railway track diverging from the first railway track, using a distributed acoustic sensing apparatus including an optical fiber sensor placed along the railway switch; analyzing the measured acoustic signature, using an electronic processing unit, by identifying, in the measured acoustic signature, vibration patterns representative of track geometry and/or track curvature; and determining which of the first railway track or the second railway track is occupied by the railway vehicle, using the electronic processing unit, based on the identified vibration patterns.
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systemsTrackside controlCommunication systems specially adapted therefor
G10L 25/51 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups specially adapted for particular use for comparison or discrimination
G06F 16/683 - Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually using metadata automatically derived from the content
16.
Method and system for health assessment of a track circuit and/or of a track section
A method and system for health assessment of a track circuit and/or of a track section, the track circuit being configured for detecting the presence of a vehicle on the track section between a transmitting end and a receiving end of the track circuit. The method, implemented by an electronic device, comprises obtaining, from a sensor device placed near the receiving end, samples of an electrical parameter of an electric signal transmitted between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the track section, forming a temporal series of received samples, applying an automatic clustering algorithm to separate the received samples in a predetermined number of clusters, selecting one of the clusters and determining, for the selected cluster, a first peak value of the received samples classified within the selected cluster, and calculating a track circuit health indicator depending on the first peak value determined for the selected cluster.
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
G01R 31/50 - Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections
17.
Train detection system for a railway track section, associated railway track section, and associated method for detecting presence of a railway vehicle on a track section
A train detection system for a railway track section placed on a track bed, the track section having two rails, the train detection system comprising at least one cable, the cable being placed across the two rails, a transmitter connected to the cable and configured to emit an emitted signal into the at least one cable, a receiver connected to the cable and configured to receive a received signal related to the emitted signal having passed through the cable, and capable of determining, according to the received signal, between an unoccupied state where no railway vehicle is present on the track section, and an occupied state where the track section is occupied by a railway vehicle. The cable is buried under the track bed.
Train detection system for a railway track, a method for detecting a train on a railway track, and a controller for a train detection system for detecting a train on a railway track
A train detection system for a railway track defines a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. Two cameras are arranged along the railway track spaced apart from each other. Each camera is placed on either the first lateral side or the second lateral side. The system includes at least one passive target. Each of the passive targets is placed within the field of view of at least one of the cameras and on the opposite lateral side of the railway track with respect to the at least one of the cameras in whose field of view the respective passive target is placed. The system also includes at least one controller adapted to recognise the passive target in the images provided by at least one of the cameras to the controller to determine whether a train is located on the railway track.
B61L 29/30 - Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 23/34 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for indicating the distance between vehicles or trains by the transmission of signals therebetween
B61L 29/22 - Operation by approaching rail vehicle or train electrically
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
A system controls a level crossing of a railway track installation. The railway track installation includes at least one track. The system includes at least two magnetometers associated with the at least one track and placed at corners of a crossing area between the at least one track and a road. The system also includes a level crossing control unit configured for receiving data from the magnetometers. Each magnetometer is arranged to detect a respective magnetic field vector of the earth's magnetic field and to send data representative of the magnetic field vector to the control unit. The control unit is configured to elaborate the data to detect changes in the magnetic field vectors due to the presence of a train in the crossing area and to control the level crossing as a function of the detected changes.
Method for detecting rail switches degradation and failures, the method having the steps of applying a Discrete Wavelet Transform to stored measurement data relative to a switch move to be analysed and obtaining a feature vector associated with said switch move and including Discrete Wavelet Transform coefficients delivered by the applied Discrete Wavelet Transform; comparing the obtained feature vector with feature vectors associated with rail switch moves previously obtained and associating each to a respective health class among several given health classes; and determining a health class for the said switch move to be analyzed by selecting one of the health classes associated with the previously obtained feature vectors based upon the comparison step.
The present invention concerns an insulating joint for electrically insulating a pair of adjacent rail sections of a railway track, each rail section extending along a longitudinal axis and defining at least one connecting surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of lateral surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis. The insulating joint comprises a joint body having substantially the same cross section as the rail sections and defining two contacting surfaces, each contacting surface being intended to be in contact with the connecting surface of one of the rail sections. The joint body is made from an insulating material comprising a reinforcing structure made of metal or carbon fibers, the reinforcing structure being placed inside of the joint body with a distance from the contacting surfaces.
E01B 29/42 - Undetachably joining or fastening track components in or on the track, e.g. by welding, by gluingPre-assembling track components by gluingSealing joints with filling components
22.
Method for determining the location of a railway vehicle and associated system
The invention concerns a method for determining the location of a railway vehicle comprising a first navigation module determining a regular resolution position of the railway vehicle with a first accuracy measurement and a second navigation module determining a high resolution position of the railway vehicle with a second accuracy measurement, using the received signals. The method comprises the steps of determining a first confidence area around the regular resolution position, based on the first accuracy measurement, of determining a second confidence area around the high precision position, based on the second accuracy measurement, and of assigning a weight of confidence to the knowing of the actual location of the railway vehicle, by analyzing the overlay of the first and the second confidence areas and the first and the second accuracy measurements.
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
G01S 19/50 - Determining position whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
This automatic vehicle control apparatus comprises a first image sensor positioned on a vehicle, able to capture a first global image of a first scene, including an area in front of the vehicle, in a first field of view of said first image sensor; a track occupancy detector for receiving the first global image and deducing therefrom a track occupancy of the vehicle among at least two set of parallel tracks positioned in front of the vehicle; a distinguishable object disposed in the first field of view; and a proper functioning checking apparatus configured for searching, in the first global image, a first specific image of the distinguishable object, and for generating an alert signal in case the first specific image is not found in the first global image.
The railroad track wire connection is configured for electrically connecting a first element of a railroad installation to a second element of the railroad installation, the first element and the second element being electrically conductive, at least one of the first element and the second element being a rail of a line of rails of a railroad track of the railroad installation. The railroad track wire connection comprises at least one first element wire having a proximal end for connection to the first element and a distal end, a first element connector provided at the distal end of each first element wire, the first element connector being configured for electrical connection with the second element directly or via a mating second element connector, wherein the first element connector comprises a magnetic element for generating a magnetic force with the second element for fixing the first element connector to the second element in a removable manner or with a magnetic element of the second element connector for fixing the first element connector to the second element connector in a removable manner.
B60M 5/00 - Arrangements along running rails or at joints thereof for current-conduction or insulation, e.g. safety devices for reducing earth currents
25.
System and method for determining train information relative to a train moving along a railway track
System for determining train information relative to a train moving along a railway track having a pressure measuring device placed along the railway track and arranged to measure the speed of an airflow generated by the train when moving on the railway track, and to generate a speed signal; and a controller arranged to receive said speed signal and to determine train information relative to the train in function of said speed signal.
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
G01P 5/06 - Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air streamMeasuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft by measuring forces exerted by the fluid on solid bodies, e.g. anemometer using rotation of vanes
F03D 17/00 - Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics
F03D 9/32 - Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
26.
Control and monitoring device for a switch machine, a system and method for monitoring a switch machine
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 system for controlling a level crossing comprising one or more transceivers located in proximity of a level crossing area on a first side of a railway track; one or more corresponding passive reflective targets located in proximity of the level crossing area on a second side opposite to the first side where each transceiver is located; a control unit connected to each transceiver; wherein each target receives RF signals coming from each transceiver and sends back corresponding reflected signals; each transceiver is arranged to elaborate said reflected signals so as to calculate predetermined parameters values; the control unit acquires said parameters values from each transceiver and elaborates them so as to detect the presence of a train in an area around the level crossing area and, in case of presence of said train, to send a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing.
B61L 23/00 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains
B61L 29/22 - Operation by approaching rail vehicle or train electrically
B61L 29/28 - Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning electrically operated
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 29/30 - Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements
28.
System and method for controlling a level crossing
A system for controlling a level crossing between a railway track and a road, the system comprising a first couple of transmitters and a second couple of transmitters in proximity of a level crossing area; a first couple of receivers and a second couple of receivers opposite to the transmitters with respect to the railway track, the first couple of transmitters and receivers located on a first side of the road and the second couple of transmitters and receivers located opposite to the first side, a control unit sending and receiving signals from said transmitters and receivers, wherein each couple of transmitters transmits a first beam from a first transmitter towards a corresponding first receiver, and a second beam from a second transmitter towards an opposite second receiver, the control unit activates sending at least one second beam and sends a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing upon interruption of at least one first beam due to the presence of the train on the railway track.
Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.
Controlling a level crossing includes one or more transceivers located in proximity of a level crossing area on a first side of a railway track; corresponding passive reflective targets located in proximity of the level crossing area on a second side of the railway track opposite to the first side where each transceiver is located and a control unit connected to each transceiver. Each target is arranged to receive RF signals coming from each transceiver and to send back corresponding reflected signals. Each transceiver is arranged to elaborate said reflected signals to calculate predetermined parameters values. Also, the control unit is arranged to acquire said parameters values from each transceiver and to elaborate them to detect the presence of a train in an area around the level crossing area and, in case of presence of said train, to send a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing.
B61L 29/22 - Operation by approaching rail vehicle or train electrically
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
B61L 29/32 - Timing, e.g. advance warning of approaching train
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 29/30 - Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements
B61L 29/28 - Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning electrically operated
31.
Monitoring device for monitoring a railway track, associated method and monitoring system for monitoring a railway track
A monitoring device monitoring a railway track, including a track interface connecting the monitoring device to the railway track. Also included is a detector detecting a first track pulse having a first duration emitted on the railway track and received through the track interface. The detector can detect a start and end time of the first track pulse. A charger is connected to the detector and has an energy storage element. Further, there is an emitter emitting a second track pulse on the railway track through the track interface by using energy stored in the energy storage element and the detector can send a transmit control signal to the emitter.
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
32.
Railroad track circuit for determining the occupancy status of a portion of a railroad
A railroad track circuit determines occupancy status of a portion of a railroad track, and includes: a track including first and second rails; a transmitter including first and second connection terminals to generate a voltage between connection terminals; and first and second receiver units, each including first and second measurement terminals, the first and second receiver units measuring voltage between first and second measurement terminals. The output connection terminals of the transmitter connect to the respective rails at a first connection location, using first and second cables. The first measurement terminal of the first receiver unit is connected to the first rail at a second connection location, using a third cable and the first measurement terminal of the second receiver unit is connected to the first rail at a third location, using a fourth cable, the second and third locations forming respectively first and second boundaries of the track circuit.
A method detects the presence of a vehicle on a railway track using a sensing processor monitoring a sensing system for detecting vibration into ground installed along the railway track. The sensing system includes a detection module for detecting a vehicle on the railway track. The method includes an initialization step which includes the sub-steps of emitting a first signal to be received by the sensing processor through the sensing system, sending a first message to the sensing processor, monitoring the sensing system, and configuring the detection module in function of the received first signal and configuration data received in the first message. The configuration data can include location of the initialization device, intensity/magnitude of the first signal, emission time of the first signal, and/or type of object corresponding to the first signal.
A wayside communication system for transmitting coded current signals through running rails of a railroad track between wayside control devices. A power line common to the wayside control devices is used as the return path for the current signals. The system features train and broken rail detection. The system allows sending signals long distances since rail to rail current leakage is no longer an issue.
An automated signaling equipment inspection system is provided. The system includes signaling equipment, a LiDAR imaging device permanently installed close to the signaling equipment at a position and with an orientation allowing complete imaging of the orientation and configuration in space of the signaling equipment and of any potential movement of the signaling equipment during its operation, an image data processing device for detecting a non-conformity of the signaling equipment, and a reference image database storing reference image data of the signaling equipment. The LiDAR imaging device is configured to scan the signaling equipment to obtain real image data thereof. The image data processing device is configured to detect a non-conformity of the signaling equipment by comparing the real image data with reference image data taken from the reference image database.
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G01B 11/27 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring angles or tapersMeasuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes for testing the alignment of axes
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 13/89 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01B 15/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons
A railroad switch machine includes a pair of switch blades, an electric motor mechanically coupled to the pair of switch blades, a pair of input terminals connected to a DC power supply for receiving a power signal and a regulator to adapt the power signal between the input terminals into a motor current applied to the electric motor. The regulator includes a plurality of switches connected between the pair of input terminals and two phases of the electric motor. The switches are transistors and the regulator also includes a controller adapted to drive each transistor with a respective command signal to adjust a value and a direction of an intensity of the motor current.
The invention relates to a sub-assembly for a searchlight signal comprising three distinct light emitting diodes and an interface module for connecting the three diodes to a controller.
The interface module comprises:
a light input adapted to receive a signal for feeding a light emitting diode,
a first relay having an active position and an inactive position, and
a second relay having an active position and an inactive position,
such that:
when the second relay and the first relay are in the inactive position, the light input is fed to a first LED,
when the first relay is in the active position, the light input is fed to a second LED, and
when the second relay is in the active position, the light input is fed to a third LED.
A system includes at least one signal light having at least one lamp. The system further includes a control device electrically connected to the at least one lamp by a conductive cable. The at least one lamp is configured to flash in response to the loss of an audio signal generated by the control device.
H05B 33/08 - Circuit arrangements for operating electroluminescent light sources
B61L 13/00 - Operation of signals from the vehicle or by the passage of the vehicle
F21S 8/08 - Lighting devices intended for fixed installation with a standard
F21S 9/02 - Lighting devices with a built-in power supplySystems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
F21V 23/00 - Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
B61L 29/28 - Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning electrically operated
B61L 29/30 - Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements
A monitoring system and method monitor one or more operational conditions of first equipment during operation of the first equipment and predict a life span of the first equipment based on the one or more operational conditions. The life span that is predicted differs from a designated life span of the first equipment that is determined prior to operation of the first equipment. The system and method can create or modify schedules for repair or replacement of other equipment to include repair or replacement of the first equipment based on the life span that is predicted.
Systems and methods for synchronizing two or more vehicles operating on an electric transportation line to optimize energy consumption. A controller is provided having a computer memory component storing a set of computer-executable instructions, a list of braking intervals, and a list of acceleration intervals for the vehicles. The controller also has a processing component configured to execute the set of computer-executable instructions to operate on the list of braking intervals and the list of acceleration intervals to minimize an energy consumption of the electric transportation line over a determined period of time by shifting acceleration intervals to synchronize with braking intervals. A dedicated heuristic greedy algorithm and an energy model are implemented in the controller as part of the computer-executable instructions to achieve the improved energy consumption.
A mounting apparatus includes a back plate, at least one lower receiving channel adjacent to a lower edge of the back plate and configured to receive a lower holding tab of a line-replaceable unit, at least one upper receiving channel adjacent to an upper edge of the back plate and configured to receive an upper holding tab of the line-replaceable unit, and at least one tensioning member configured to urge the lower holding tab and the upper holding tab into the at least one lower receiving channel and the at least one upper receiving channel, respectively.
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
B61L 1/00 - Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or train
H05K 5/02 - Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus Details
B61L 29/08 - Operation of gatesCombined operation of gates and signals
B61L 3/02 - Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control
B61L 5/18 - Light signalsMechanisms associated therewith, e.g. blinders
B61L 29/24 - Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning
A vibration monitoring system includes an acoustic device that outputs an analog signal to a fiber cable for calibration and location verification. The acoustic device utilizes GPS or communication from wayside bungalow equipment to verify GPS location or real-time clock information. The wayside bungalow contains communication equipment that interfaces with the acoustic device and relays health information to a sensing processor. The sensing processor is configured to detect the acoustic signal output by the acoustic device at a known location and verifies that the cable and device have not moved location by comparing the signal level received against a threshold stored in memory. When the threshold is exceeded, the sensing processor sends an alert that the fiber optic cable or acoustic device at the location have changed.
A system and method for determining a direction of travel of a vehicle and/or identifying a misplaced wayside device obtain location data from wayside devices. The location data are representative of locations of the wayside devices along a route being traveled by a vehicle. The system and method also determine whether the location data in a series of the wayside devices exhibit an increase or a decrease in the location data across the wayside devices in the series and, responsive to determining whether the location data in the series of the wayside devices does exhibit the increase or the decrease in the location data, the system and method determine a direction of travel of the vehicle along the route, determine a location of the vehicle along the route, and/or identify a misplaced wayside device.
A system includes a signal system controller electrically connected to a first track section of a first rail of a track system, and electrically connected to a second track section of the first rail, in which the first track section is separated from the second track section by a first rail insulated joint. The signal system controller is configured to transmit a test signal on the first track section and configured to receive the test signal on the second track section to test the first rail insulated joint between the first track section and the second track section.
Methods and systems for monitoring vibrations introduce baseline vibrations into a fiber optic cable with one or more of a designated frequency or a designated amplitude. Changes in the baseline vibrations are monitored using the fiber optic cable. Information about environmental conditions outside of the fiber optic cable and/or moving objects can be determined based at least in part on the changes in the baseline vibrations that are monitored. The information that is determined about the objects, such as vehicles, can be modified based on the changes in the baseline vibrations.
A method for predicting failure of a crossing warning system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an electrical characteristic of a first route when an electric current is injected into the first route. The first route has a crossing intersection with a second route and a crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The electrical characteristic is monitored to detect when a vehicle is approaching the crossing intersection on the first route and to determine when to activate the crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The method also includes identifying one or more changes in the electrical characteristic of the first route, and, based on the one or more changes that are identified, predicting a failure mode of the first route that interferes with detection of the vehicle approaching the crossing intersection.
B61L 29/28 - Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning electrically operated
B61L 29/30 - Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements
A sensor for monitoring the current flowing in a wire of a circuit is provided. The sensor includes a variable inductance contactless current detector to sense the current flowing in the wire, serially connected to an internal power source and a resistor to form a voltage divider circuit. The sensor also includes a voltage detector to monitor the voltage level across the resistor and generate an output signal. A system is also provided.
A system includes a timing determination module configured to be disposed onboard an approaching vehicle system during travel of the approaching vehicle system along a first route toward a crossing between the first route and a second route. The timing determination module is configured to determine one or more arrival times of the approaching vehicle system to reach the crossing and to repeatedly communicate notification messages having the one or more arrival times to a remote crossing system that is configured to activate one or more warning devices disposed at or near the crossing to notify other vehicles on the second route that the approaching vehicle system is approaching the crossing along the first route. The timing determination module is configured to determine the one or more arrival times at different respective locations along the first route as the approaching vehicle system travels toward the crossing.
A method includes receiving an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system, modifying the absolute time into a relative time, and controlling one or more warning devices using the relative time. A system includes a crossing module configured to receive an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system. The crossing module is configured to modify the absolute time into a relative time and to control one or more warning devices using the relative time.
A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle configured to travel along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module. The determination module is configured to determine, based on a speed of the first vehicle, timing information corresponding to a time at which the first vehicle will travel proximate to the crossing on the first route. The communication module is configured to transmit the timing information to the remote crossing module. The timing information includes a reference time configured as an absolute time corresponding to a time for impeding travel of a second vehicle along the second route through the crossing.
G01S 1/00 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmittersReceivers co-operating therewith
B61L 1/02 - Electric devices associated with track
A system includes a communication module and an analysis module. The communication module is configured to be operably connectable to a wayside unit of a transportation network and to transmit a simulation message to the wayside unit. The simulation message simulates at least one of a request or command from at least one transportation network element corresponding to a wayside action to be performed by the wayside unit. The simulation message is configured to elicit a wayside message from the wayside unit upon receipt of the simulation message. The analysis module is configured to obtain the wayside message and to provide a display corresponding to the wayside message.
A system includes a detection module, a control module, an input module, and a determination module. The detection module is configured to obtain information from one or more detectors corresponding to a condition of a transportation network. The control module is configured to issue control messages using the information obtained. The input module is configured to receive a request for the control module to enter a test mode corresponding to an alteration of at least one of an input or an output of the control module from an operational mode. The determination module is configured to determine if an authorization condition corresponding to a physical state of one or more functional activity module of the transportation network is satisfied. The control module is transferred to the test mode if the authorization condition is satisfied and maintained in the operational mode if the authorization condition is not satisfied.
A system includes a communication module and a determination module. The communication module is configured to be located onboard a vehicle configured to travel along a route including plural sub-routes. The communication module is configured to receive route occupancy information from an off-board wayside module disposed along the route. The route occupancy information corresponds to a presence or absence of vehicular traffic on each sub-route within a range of a route detection system operably coupled to the wayside module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard the vehicle, and to obtain position information from one or more onboard detection units disposed onboard the vehicle. The determination module is configured to determine a particular sub-route on which the vehicle is disposed using a comparison of the position information obtained from the one or more onboard detection units and the occupancy information received from the off-board wayside module.
G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
B61L 1/02 - Electric devices associated with track
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systemsTrackside controlCommunication systems specially adapted therefor
55.
Systems and methods for management of crossings near stations
A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.
Systems and methods for synchronizing two or more vehicles operating on an electric transportation line to optimize energy consumption. A controller is provided having a computer memory component storing a set of computer-executable instructions, a list of braking intervals, and a list of acceleration intervals for the vehicles. The controller also has a processing component configured to execute the set of computer-executable instructions to operate on the list of braking intervals and the list of acceleration intervals to minimize an energy consumption of the electric transportation line over a determined period of time by shifting acceleration intervals to synchronize with braking intervals. A dedicated heuristic greedy algorithm and an energy model are implemented in the controller as part of the computer-executable instructions to achieve the improved energy consumption.
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systemsTrackside controlCommunication systems specially adapted therefor
B61L 3/00 - Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G08G 9/00 - Traffic control systems for craft where the kind of craft is irrelevant or unspecified
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
A signal detection system for use with a signaling system is disclosed, the signal detection system comprising a plurality of electrical terminals including a source terminal and an output terminal, the output terminal being connected to a signaling device. An auxiliary terminal electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrical terminals is provided. A current sensor is coupled to the auxiliary terminal for detecting an electrical signal for controlling the signaling device. The current sensor generating an output signal in response to the detection of the electrical signal for controlling the signaling device for monitoring the status of the signaling device. Also disclosed is a method for installing a signal detection system in a wayside signaling system including a signaling device for monitoring a status of the signaling device. An apparatus for connecting a current sensor to a signaling device is also disclosed.
G01R 1/20 - Modifications of basic electric elements for use in electric measuring instrumentsStructural combinations of such elements with such instruments
B61L 1/20 - Safety arrangements for preventing or indicating malfunction of the device, e.g. by leakage current, by lightning
B61L 5/18 - Light signalsMechanisms associated therewith, e.g. blinders
G05B 1/00 - Comparing elements, i.e. elements for effecting comparison directly or indirectly between a desired value and existing or anticipated values
58.
Railway code generation and signaling system and method
A first unit configured to generate and transmit a code of positive and negative DC pulses through a first rail of a railway. A second unit spaced from the first unit and configured to sense the code, which includes a leading code word, having a positive or negative timing pulse followed after a first data interval by a positive or negative data pulse, followed by a modifying code word. The modifying code word consists of a second positive or negative timing pulse followed after a second data interval by a second positive or negative data pulse. The second timing pulse starts after one code cycle from the start of the leading code word timing pulse. The second timing pulse and the second data pulse duplicate the timing pulse and the data pulse of the same polarity, but invert the timing pulse and the data pulse of opposite polarities.
H04L 25/49 - Transmitting circuitsReceiving circuits using code conversion at the transmitterTransmitting circuitsReceiving circuits using predistortionTransmitting circuitsReceiving circuits using insertion of idle bits for obtaining a desired frequency spectrumTransmitting circuitsReceiving circuits using three or more amplitude levels
A vehicle control system includes a brake system onboard a vehicle, a first actuation component, an automatic control system, and a second actuation component. The first actuation component is operably coupled to the brake system and is configured to cause actuation of the brake system to brake the vehicle when the first actuation component is activated. The automatic control system is onboard the vehicle and is configured to generate a first control signal for controlling the first actuation component to activate to upon occurrence of one or more designated conditions. The second actuation component is operably coupled to the brake system and is configured to cause actuation of the brake system to brake the vehicle upon receipt of one of the first control signal or a second control signal generated by the automatic control system.
B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
B60T 17/22 - Devices for monitoring or checking brake systemsSignal devices
A transformer core apparatus includes a body of highly magnetically permeable material, a permanent magnet arranged in a safe state position for saturating the body with a permanent magnetic field, and means for removing the permanent magnetic field from the body.
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for synchronizing two or more railway assets to optimize energy consumption. For example, an embodiment of the present invention provides receipt of a timetable associated with two or more vehicles and at least one terminal. The timetable can be modified to create a modified timetable that overlaps a brake time for a first vehicle and an acceleration time for a second vehicle, wherein at least one of a departure time or a dwell time is modified. Furthermore, the second vehicle can transfer energy from the first vehicle based upon at least one of the modified timetable and the brake time overlapping with the acceleration time.
Various methods and systems are provided for predicting crossing times. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a vehicle position of a vehicle from sensed data, filtering the vehicle position, determining vehicle velocity based on the filtered vehicle position, filtering the vehicle velocity to a greater extent than vehicle position is filtered, at least above a threshold frequency, and determining a time-to-crossing based on the filtered vehicle position and filtered velocity.
Various methods and systems are provided for a crossing equipment controller. In one embodiment, a method comprises prior to a vehicle entering a diverging zone, calculating a travel time until the vehicle at a determined position would reach a crossing based on one or more vehicle conditions, and in response to the vehicle entering the diverging zone, updating the travel time with a time-based countdown.
A system for electrically connecting a conductor to a track member includes a clamp base, a clamp bolt, and a wire bolt. The clamp base receives part of the track member, and has a threaded throughbore. The clamp bolt includes a spike pin and a body that is threaded for screwing into the clamp base. The body defines a threaded recess. The wire bolt has a longitudinal throughbore, and is threaded for screwing into the recess. When the conductor is positioned through the wire bolt and the wire bolt is screwed into the recess, the wire bolt holds the conductor in place in electrical engagement with the clamp bolt. When the track member part is received in the clamp base and the clamp bolt is screwed through the clamp base, the spike pin bites into the track member for establishing an electrical connection and clamping the clamp base in place.
There is provided a voltage or current sensing device. An exemplary voltage or current sensing device includes a drive circuitry configured to deliver a drive current to a magnetic core operably coupled with a conductor, for driving the core to cyclical magnetic saturation. The device also includes sense circuitry configured to receive a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in the conductor. The device also includes signal processing circuitry configured to sample the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current. The device also includes a feedback loop configured to deliver a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based at least in part on the first sample in phase with the drive current.
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
H01H 47/00 - Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the relay and designed to obtain desired operating characteristics or to provide energising current
G01R 15/18 - Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks using inductive devices, e.g. transformers
G01R 19/20 - Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof using conversion of DC into AC, e.g. with choppers using transductors
There is provided a method of determining the state of a signal lamp. The method includes receiving time series data corresponding to an electrical signal used to power a signal lamp. The state of the signal lamp can switch from one of the following states to another of the following states: an on state, an off state, and a flashing state. The method also includes determining the state of the signal lamp, based at least in part on both the time series data and an amplitude value of the electrical signal relative to an amplitude-change threshold value over a determined number of amplitude changes.
A communication system for a vehicle includes an input module, a selection module, and a publisher module. The input module is configured to receive data parameters associated with one or more conditions (e.g., states, current operational aspects or modes, operational environmental conditions) of the vehicle. The selection module is configured to select a subset of the data parameters. The publisher module is configured to communicate the data parameters in the subset to one or more applications of the vehicle that use the data parameters to perform one or more operations.
A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.
There is provided a radar system that includes an emitter system (e.g., an antenna), configured to emit electromagnetic pulses and detect electromagnetic pulses, and a reflection target, placed opposite the emitter system. The emitter system and the reflection target define an area of interest. A controller is configured to identify a reflection from the reflection target and, if the reflection is not identified, to stop sending a radar check signal. The radar system may be part of a warning horn control system, where the radar check signal is used as a control input for activating a warning horn.
There is provided a track current suppression device. An exemplary device includes an input coupled between rails of a railway track and configured to receive an input voltage corresponding to a track current. The exemplary device also includes an amplifier configured to receive the input voltage and generate a cancellation current. The exemplary device also includes an output coupled between the rails of the railway track and configured to deliver the cancellation current to the rails with reversed polarity compared to the track current.
An approach annunciator for a railway includes at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle traveling along the railway, a control device adapted to receive a first message from the sensor and to create a second message, and a transmitting module adapted to send the second message created by the control device. The control device is adapted to operate the transmitting module in one of a plurality of modes including an energy saving mode and an operation mode.
A signal alignment monitoring system is provided. The system includes a signal assembly including at least one signal lamp. The system also includes an alignment monitoring apparatus coupled to the signal assembly. The alignment monitoring apparatus includes a source for emitting electromagnetic energy and a detector for sensing electromagnetic energy emitted by the source to facilitate determining an alignment of the signal assembly.
A communications system for use in transmitting data in a railroad system is provided. The communications system includes a track circuit having a plurality of rails configured to transmit an electrical signal thereon, a first processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit via a first locomotive on said track circuit, and a trackside communications station operable to output cab signaling data, wherein the trackside communications station includes a second processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit. The first processor is programmed to compare a received data signal to a pre-stored database, and generate a response based on the comparison. The second processor is programmed to generate a corrected signal using the generated response.
H04Q 5/22 - Selecting arrangements wherein two or more subscriber stations are connected by the same line to the exchange with indirect connection, i.e. through subordinate switching centre the subordinate centre not permitting interconnection of subscribers connected thereto
G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
G08G 1/01 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
B60Q 1/00 - Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
B61L 23/04 - Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
B61L 3/22 - Continuous control along the route using magnetic or electrostatic inductionContinuous control along the route using electromagnetic radiation
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
A portable computer system and method of operating a vehicle using the portable computer system in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory is provided. The portable computer system includes a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the CBTC system, wherein the portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle. The method includes verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system, and removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system.
A method for determining whether a defined section of a transportation track is occupied is described. The method includes inducing an audio frequency (AF) signal at a first position on the transportation track and receiving the AF signal at a second position on the transportation track. The defined section of the transportation track is located between the first position and the second position on the transportation track. The method further includes measuring a strength of the AF signal received as a function of time at the second position, and identifying an inflection point of the recorded AF signal strength. The inflection point indicates at least one of a rail vehicle entering the defined section of the transportation track and the rail vehicle exiting the defined section of the transportation track. The method further includes determining an occupancy of the defined section of the transportation track, based on the inflection point.
A method for generating electricity along a roadway is provided. The method includes actuating an energy transfer assembly coupled to the roadway, wherein the energy transfer assembly is actuated by a force acting upon the roadway. The method also includes generating electricity at a generator coupled to the energy transfer assembly, the generator being driven by actuation of the energy transfer assembly.
F02B 63/04 - Adaptations of engines for driving pumps, hand-held tools or electric generatorsPortable combinations of engines with engine-driven devices for electric generators
A control mechanism for a railroad switch machine, the mechanism including a hydraulic circuit operable to move a rail end point of a switch point assembly of the railroad switch machine, a pump to hydraulically operate the hydraulic circuit, and a motor to operate the pump, wherein the only electromechanical parts of the control mechanism are within the motor.
A method for detecting railway vacancy is provided. The method includes sensing, at a remote sensing unit positioned proximate to a railway, a presence of a railcar traversing the railway. The method also includes storing, in real-time, at the remote sensing unit, a sensing event indicative of the sensed presence of the railcar traversing the railway and transmitting, asynchronously from the time at which the presence of the railcar was sensed at the remote sensing unit, the stored sensing event to a master accumulation unit.
Systems and methods for determining a binary status of a device are provided. A method for detecting an operating status of a device using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. The method includes coupling a first portion of the RFID tag to a first portion of the device and coupling a second portion of the RFID tag to a second portion of the device, wherein the first portion of the device is moveable with respect to the second portion of the device, changing a position of the first portion of the device with respect to a position of the second portion of the device, detecting the change in position of the first device portion based on the movement of the first RFID tag portion, wherein the movement causes a change in a status of an RFID signal emitted by the RFID tag, and determining the status of the device based on the change in the RFID signal status.
H04Q 5/22 - Selecting arrangements wherein two or more subscriber stations are connected by the same line to the exchange with indirect connection, i.e. through subordinate switching centre the subordinate centre not permitting interconnection of subscribers connected thereto
G08B 13/14 - Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
G08B 1/08 - Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal using electric transmission
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
G06K 7/08 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by means detecting the change of an electrostatic or magnetic field, e.g. by detecting change of capacitance between electrodes
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
A method is provided for operating a train or rail vehicle along a railway which is logically divided into segments, and includes at least one control point presenting at least two possible paths that are exclusive of each other, each path including one or more segments. The method includes: (a) controlling the rail vehicle as it travels along the railway by reference to a one-dimensional representation of the segments prior to the control point; (b) determining which segment located immediately past the control point is to be occupied by the rail vehicle; (c) after the rail vehicle has traveled past the at least one control point, verifying which segment was occupied; (d) interlocking the occupied segment; (e) passing segment information to the rail vehicle; and (f) controlling the rail vehicle as it travels along the railway in reference to a one-dimensional representation of the segments past the control point.
A system is provided for regulating the speed of a rail vehicle traveling along a track. The track has a pair of rails. The system includes a temperature sensor positioned on an external surface of the rail vehicle. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of one of the rails. The system further includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor. The controller receives data of the measured temperature, and regulates the speed of the rail vehicle based upon the measured temperature data. A method and computer readable media are also provided for regulating the speed of a rail vehicle traveling along a track.
Methods and systems for communicating with a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of wayside control units controlling an area along a guideway to be traveled by the vehicle, the plurality of wayside control units including a database of fixed data defining an operational profile of the guideway in a local area of an associated wayside control unit. The method also includes monitoring dynamic data in the local area of the associated wayside control unit wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of guideway availability and signal status information and transmitting wirelessly an authority message including at least one of the fixed data and the dynamic data from the associated wayside unit to a receiver on board the vehicle, the authority message dynamic data being valid for a selectable one of a plurality of time periods.
A system for verifying the operation of a railroad gate is provided. The system includes a tilt device for measuring a tilt of the railroad gate and a controller coupled to the tilt device. The controller is selectively operable in a calibration mode and a monitoring mode. In the calibration mode, the controller measures a predetermined tilt of the railroad gate. In the monitoring mode, the controller measures a current tilt of the railroad gate to determine deviations between the current tilt and the predetermined tilt.
Systems and methods for modifying a parameter value of a controller are described. In one embodiment, the method includes verifying a local presence at the controller, modifying a parameter value at a remote device, confirming the identity of the remote device, and storing the modified parameter value in the controller.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
85.
Methods and systems for testing a functional status of a light unit
A method for testing a status of a light unit is provided, wherein the method includes electrically coupling the light unit to a controller and transmitting a negative voltage from the controller to the light unit. The method also includes detecting at least one of current and voltage passing through the light unit and determining a status of the light unit based on at least one of the detected current and detected voltage.
A system is provided for sensing misalignment of a railroad signaling system. The railroad signaling system includes at least one railroad signal coupled to at least one elongated member adjacent to a railroad. The system includes at least one transmitter positioned within at least one elongated member, and at least one receiver positioned from each of said at least one transmitter within at least one adjacent elongated member to the at least one elongated member. More particularly, the system includes at least one electronic device coupled to each of a transmitter and each of at least one receiver, to sense detection of each transmitter by at least one receiver of at least one receiver indicative of misalignment of the railroad signaling system.
A system is provided for temporary protection operation of at least one controller box for a railroad switch turnout in a powered mode or non-power mode depending on the railroad configuration and independent of the controller box. A normal controller box is coupled to the normal switch point and includes a block slidably received within the housing based on moving the normal switch point to establish at least one pair of electrical contacts within the housing. A controller is coupled to the controller box to verify a pair of compressed contacts to determine that the normal switch point has moved to the normal position to cause the controller box to send an open signal to a pair of switch connections. The controller also verifies a pair of extended contacts to determine that the normal switch point has failed to move to the normal position to omit to cause said controller box to send an open signal to the pair of switch connections and maintain each respective switch connection to shunt the stationary stock rails.
B61L 5/00 - Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocksVisible or audible signalsLocal operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
A system and method for communicating information between wayside equipment and a railcar is provided, wherein the communication system includes a wayside monitoring system located at the wayside of a railway, wherein the wayside monitoring system is configured to generate wayside system data responsive to an operational characteristic of the railcar. A wayside communication device communicated with the wayside monitoring system to receive the wayside system data is also provided, wherein the wayside communication device is configured to generate digital wayside data and transmit at least one of the wayside system data and the digital wayside data to the railcar via a dispatch voice channel. Furthermore, an on-board communication device is provided, wherein the on-board communication device is configured to receive the digital wayside data from the wayside communication device via the dispatch voice channel.
B61L 3/22 - Continuous control along the route using magnetic or electrostatic inductionContinuous control along the route using electromagnetic radiation
89.
Method of planning the movement of trains using pre-allocation of resources
A method of scheduling the movement of trains using the creation and the pre-allocation of virtual resources in order to develop an optimized schedule of actual train movement.
In a railroad crossing warning system having an electronic transmitter located on a first side of a road crossing connected across both railway rails, a first electronic receiver on the first side of the road crossing connected across both railway rails, a second electronic receiver on the second side of the road crossing connected across both railway rails, a method for determining direction a vehicle is traveling, the method including monitoring a voltage profile from at least one of the first receiver and the second receiver, as a vehicle moves along the railway rails towards the road crossing, and determining a direction the vehicle is moving based on the voltage profile.
Methods and systems for monitoring trains in a railyard. These methods and systems detect an incoming train entering a geographic area defined by a railyard, store an entry time indicative of a time at which the incoming train entering the railyard was detected, detect the incoming train coming to a stop in a subyard of the railyard, store a stop time indicative of a time at which the incoming train came to a stop in the receiving subyard, calculate an incoming train latency time by subtracting the entry time from the stop time, and store the incoming train latency time as an incoming train latency time record.
This invention is a railroad wayside signal system positioned adjacent to a railroad track that comprises a mast that is attached to a support structure in an upright position. A signal head having one or more signal lights is mounted to the mast such that a locomotive operator in an approaching locomotive can see the signal lights. The mast pivots with respect to the support structure between the upright position and a substantially horizontal position for maintaining and/or aligning the signal head and signal lights. The signal system may also be equipped with one or more actuators operatively connected to the signal head. A remote control unit is placed in communication with the actuators, and the remote control has an input mechanism for inputting a command representative of a direction of rotation of the signal head. The remote control also generates a signal in response to the input command that is representative of one or more directions of rotation.
A method and computer program product are provided for monitoring integrity of a railroad train and determining passage of the train relative to a plurality of virtual blocks defined by wireless transmissions along a section of track over which the train travels. The virtual blocks provide safeguards for the travel of the train relative to other trains on the section of the track when there is a shared use of the section of track. In aspects thereof, the method allows collecting data useful for evaluating conditions that may affect train integrity from at least one sensing device at a end of train location. The method further allows collecting data at a head-of-train location, with the data collected at the head-of-train corresponding to the type of data collected at the end-of-train location. The data collected at the end-of-train and at the head-of train location is processed to determine whether the entire train has cleared a respective one of the virtual blocks. In the event this determination is unable to reach a clearance for the respective block, a cautionary status is associated with the virtual block. The cautionary status for the virtual block is automatically communicated to an offboard system, which is responsible for managing shared use of the track by other trains.
A railway power supply system and method for electrically powering an electrical device are provided. The electrical device is situated along a railway and is powered through an electrically conductive line generally used for carrying an electrical signal to a railway signaling device. The power supply system includes a power injector coupled to the line. The line is used for carrying a signal to the signaling device at a first frequency value for performing a signaling operation. The power injector is configured to introduce at the line a power signal for powering the electrical device. The injected power is at a second frequency value that is sufficiently spread apart from the first frequency value to avoid interference with the signaling operation of the railway signaling device. The power supply system further includes a power collector coupled to the line and to the electrical device for passing the signal for powering the electrical device.
A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system. Train location reports used in the automatic updating of the movement plans are selectively disabled for individual trains as a function of the activity scheduled for that train.
A data gathering apparatus comprises a power generation device configured to generate power via movement of the rail. The data gathering apparatus further comprises a sensing device configured to receive power from the power generation device and to sense at least one property of the rail, wherein the property of the rail is at least partially defined by a vehicle traveling on the rail.
A lost motion apparatus for adapting a typical in-tie switch machine, designed for use with interconnected switch points, to be used as an in-tie machine for moving the movable V-point of a movable point frog assembly.
System and method for monitoring status of a visual signal lamp. The system includes at least one optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned proximate to the signal lamp and is oriented to capture a portion of light signal emitted by the signal lamp when the signal lamp is illuminated. The system also includes a photodetector positioned proximate to the second end of the optical fiber and configured to receive the portion of light signal. The system further includes a threshold detection circuitry connected to the photodetector and configured to detect a lighting parameter in relation to the signal lamp according to a predetermined criterion.
An operational status detection system for a railroad warning device having a warning light, comprising: a photodiode configured to generate a signal corresponding to a light output of the warning light of the railroad warning device; an amplifier for increasing a signal strength of the signal and providing an output corresponding to the signal; a filter for receiving the output, the filter being configured to only allow portions of the output corresponding to the light output of the warning light to be presented as an output signal of the warning light; and a microcontroller receptive to the output signal and for comparing the output signal to a threshold value, the threshold value corresponding to an acceptable light output of the warning light.
A multi-use wayside railway control system for installation and use in operating wayside railway equipment in a railway wayside application selected from among a plurality of differing railway wayside applications usable in the control system. The system includes detectors responsive to and generating data indicative of operating conditions of the selected wayside application A controller receives data from the detectors and is responsive to the data for operating the wayside equipment. A programmed processor associated with the controller includes a software program storage device for storing a plurality of separately selectable operating programs, each of the operating programs comprising application specific information for a selected wayside application and corresponding configuration of wayside equipment. A control display unit enables selection of one of the stored operating programs compatible with the selected wayside application and corresponding wayside equipment configuration for use by the controller.
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