Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
246001000 | MISCELLANEOUS | 11 |
20090173840 | Rail Car Sensor Network - A rail car sensor network, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes at least one rail car having a main body portion including a first and section, a second end section and an intermediate portion. The rail car network further includes a sensor assembly mounted to the rail car. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor positioned to detect a rail car parameter, and a wireless communication device configured to transmit data corresponding to the rail car parameter. A receiver assembly, mounted remote from the at least one rail car, includes a wireless communication monitor configured to receive the data corresponding to the rail car parameter from the wireless communication device. | 07-09-2009 |
20120234986 | Method and Device for Generating and Publishing a Railway Signaling Diagram - The invention relates to method and device for generating and publishing a railway signaling diagram comprising a track diagram of a railway network and track equipment arranged on the network portion, each piece of track equipment comprising particular characteristics. One method of the invention comprises: (a) entry by a user of topological data of the portion of the railway network; (b) automatic generation by the computation means of a track diagram of the portion of the railway network from topological data; (c) selection by the user of a plurality of rules for positioning track equipment to be arranged on the railway track diagram, and (d) automatic generation by the computation means of the railway signaling diagram of the portion of the network from selected rules for positioning the track equipment and the railway diagram. The invention also relates to a device adapted to carry out the preceding method. | 09-20-2012 |
20140197281 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ORDER OF VEHICLES - A system includes a first communication module and a first ordering determination module. The first communication module is configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle of a vehicle consist and to communicate individual messages that are targeted for communication with respective individual second vehicles of the vehicle consist. The first ordering determination module is configured to be disposed onboard the first vehicle of the vehicle consist, and to determine an order of the first vehicle and one or more of the second vehicles in the consist using message characteristic information. The message characteristic information corresponds to a transmission characteristic of the individual messages. | 07-17-2014 |
20160107665 | Apparatus For Generating Action Recommendations For The Driver Of A Rail Vehicle - An apparatus for generating action recommendations for the driver of a rail vehicle includes a device that can be carried by the driver in order to provide a type of apparatus that can be retrofitted quickly and easily to an existing rail vehicle. The device has at least one data interface unit for receiving basic data, a memory unit for storing at least one program module, a processing unit provided for executing the program module in order to generate the action recommendations at least on the basis of the basic data, and an output unit for outputting the action recommendations. A rail vehicle having the apparatus is also provided. | 04-21-2016 |
20090057495 | Dragging equipment detector - Disclosed systems, methods, and apparatti generally define inventions that detect and alert train crews of a potentially unsafe condition caused by equipment hanging below any portion of the train. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 03-05-2009 |
20100148013 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL LOCOMOTIVE DECOUPLING DETECTION - An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: an optical sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by an optical sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler. | 06-17-2010 |
20100258682 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING WAYSIDE SIGNAL DEVICE WITH VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - In a transportation system (rail system or otherwise), a wayside device potentially operates in a plurality of operational modes. The wayside device is outfitted with an interface system for interfacing the wayside signal device with a vehicle control system. The interface system determines the present operational mode of the wayside device and independently communicates information relating to the determined present operational mode to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may control the vehicle based on the information relating to the determined present operational mode. The interface system includes functionality for validating the determined present operational mode prior to transmission of the information to the vehicle control system, to ensure that the vehicle control system is provided with correct and/or current information. The wayside device may be a wayside signal device whose operational modes (as determined by the interface system) are signal aspects conveyed to a vehicle. | 10-14-2010 |
20120091287 | STRUCTURE FOR RAILROAD TIES HAVING DATA ACQUISITION, PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION MEANS - An encapsulated railroad tie structure and its method of manufacture. A core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securely engaged to both the core and sleeve. The core may be provided with bores and grooves to receive sensors and conductors interconnected with a processor and transponder maintained in an end cap. The end cap also maintains a photovoltaic device and power source for the active elements of the railroad tie structure. The core may also be manufactured of a wood or other natural fiber giving the core a desired flex modulus to provide for better control and serviceability of associated rails and railway cars. | 04-19-2012 |
20130193274 | IN-VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM AND GUIDANCE-INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An in-vehicle information display system includes a plurality of display devices each of which operates by receiving supply of alternating-current power obtained by converting power from a wiring or of direct-current power output from a power storage device and each of which performs guidance display to passengers, and a terminal device that operates by receiving supply of direct-current power from the power storage device and that distributes guidance display information used for the guidance display toward the display devices. The terminal device directly transmits the guidance display information to a part of the display devices, each of the display devices acquires the guidance display information from the terminal device either directly or via another display device, and the display device that acquires the guidance display information directly from the terminal device among the display devices operates by receiving supply of direct-current power from the power storage device. | 08-01-2013 |
20140151512 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSPECTION OF WAYSIDE RAIL EQUIPMENT - An inspection system for use with a rail vehicle includes a sensor configured to be deployed onboard the rail vehicle for inspection of wayside rail equipment to determine operability or alignment of the equipment. | 06-05-2014 |
20160200217 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING, ESPECIALLY CONFIGURING, A SYSTEM, INCLUDING A CONTACT WIRE AND AN APPARATUS, AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD | 07-14-2016 |
246001000 | Signals and indicators | 7 |
20090173840 | Rail Car Sensor Network - A rail car sensor network, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes at least one rail car having a main body portion including a first and section, a second end section and an intermediate portion. The rail car network further includes a sensor assembly mounted to the rail car. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor positioned to detect a rail car parameter, and a wireless communication device configured to transmit data corresponding to the rail car parameter. A receiver assembly, mounted remote from the at least one rail car, includes a wireless communication monitor configured to receive the data corresponding to the rail car parameter from the wireless communication device. | 07-09-2009 |
20120234986 | Method and Device for Generating and Publishing a Railway Signaling Diagram - The invention relates to method and device for generating and publishing a railway signaling diagram comprising a track diagram of a railway network and track equipment arranged on the network portion, each piece of track equipment comprising particular characteristics. One method of the invention comprises: (a) entry by a user of topological data of the portion of the railway network; (b) automatic generation by the computation means of a track diagram of the portion of the railway network from topological data; (c) selection by the user of a plurality of rules for positioning track equipment to be arranged on the railway track diagram, and (d) automatic generation by the computation means of the railway signaling diagram of the portion of the network from selected rules for positioning the track equipment and the railway diagram. The invention also relates to a device adapted to carry out the preceding method. | 09-20-2012 |
20140197281 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ORDER OF VEHICLES - A system includes a first communication module and a first ordering determination module. The first communication module is configured to be disposed onboard a first vehicle of a vehicle consist and to communicate individual messages that are targeted for communication with respective individual second vehicles of the vehicle consist. The first ordering determination module is configured to be disposed onboard the first vehicle of the vehicle consist, and to determine an order of the first vehicle and one or more of the second vehicles in the consist using message characteristic information. The message characteristic information corresponds to a transmission characteristic of the individual messages. | 07-17-2014 |
20160107665 | Apparatus For Generating Action Recommendations For The Driver Of A Rail Vehicle - An apparatus for generating action recommendations for the driver of a rail vehicle includes a device that can be carried by the driver in order to provide a type of apparatus that can be retrofitted quickly and easily to an existing rail vehicle. The device has at least one data interface unit for receiving basic data, a memory unit for storing at least one program module, a processing unit provided for executing the program module in order to generate the action recommendations at least on the basis of the basic data, and an output unit for outputting the action recommendations. A rail vehicle having the apparatus is also provided. | 04-21-2016 |
20090057495 | Dragging equipment detector - Disclosed systems, methods, and apparatti generally define inventions that detect and alert train crews of a potentially unsafe condition caused by equipment hanging below any portion of the train. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 03-05-2009 |
20100148013 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL LOCOMOTIVE DECOUPLING DETECTION - An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: an optical sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by an optical sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler. | 06-17-2010 |
20100258682 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING WAYSIDE SIGNAL DEVICE WITH VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - In a transportation system (rail system or otherwise), a wayside device potentially operates in a plurality of operational modes. The wayside device is outfitted with an interface system for interfacing the wayside signal device with a vehicle control system. The interface system determines the present operational mode of the wayside device and independently communicates information relating to the determined present operational mode to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may control the vehicle based on the information relating to the determined present operational mode. The interface system includes functionality for validating the determined present operational mode prior to transmission of the information to the vehicle control system, to ensure that the vehicle control system is provided with correct and/or current information. The wayside device may be a wayside signal device whose operational modes (as determined by the interface system) are signal aspects conveyed to a vehicle. | 10-14-2010 |
20120091287 | STRUCTURE FOR RAILROAD TIES HAVING DATA ACQUISITION, PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION MEANS - An encapsulated railroad tie structure and its method of manufacture. A core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securely engaged to both the core and sleeve. The core may be provided with bores and grooves to receive sensors and conductors interconnected with a processor and transponder maintained in an end cap. The end cap also maintains a photovoltaic device and power source for the active elements of the railroad tie structure. The core may also be manufactured of a wood or other natural fiber giving the core a desired flex modulus to provide for better control and serviceability of associated rails and railway cars. | 04-19-2012 |
20130193274 | IN-VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM AND GUIDANCE-INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An in-vehicle information display system includes a plurality of display devices each of which operates by receiving supply of alternating-current power obtained by converting power from a wiring or of direct-current power output from a power storage device and each of which performs guidance display to passengers, and a terminal device that operates by receiving supply of direct-current power from the power storage device and that distributes guidance display information used for the guidance display toward the display devices. The terminal device directly transmits the guidance display information to a part of the display devices, each of the display devices acquires the guidance display information from the terminal device either directly or via another display device, and the display device that acquires the guidance display information directly from the terminal device among the display devices operates by receiving supply of direct-current power from the power storage device. | 08-01-2013 |
20140151512 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSPECTION OF WAYSIDE RAIL EQUIPMENT - An inspection system for use with a rail vehicle includes a sensor configured to be deployed onboard the rail vehicle for inspection of wayside rail equipment to determine operability or alignment of the equipment. | 06-05-2014 |
20160200217 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING, ESPECIALLY CONFIGURING, A SYSTEM, INCLUDING A CONTACT WIRE AND AN APPARATUS, AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD | 07-14-2016 |