Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
246020000 | BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEMS | 32 |
20160016597 | AUTOMATED REAL-TIME POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL TRACK DATABASE VALIDATION - Methods and systems are described that can be used to verify a track database of a train management system, for example that the track database has not been corrupted, built with critical errors, or is not being used properly by the software application. In one embodiment, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are mounted on the trackside features contained in the track database. The tags contain data such as the geographical coordinates of the trackside features and a unique feature identifier that uniquely identifies the respective feature. As the train passes the trackside feature, a tag reader on the train reads the tag to gather the geographical coordinates and the feature identifier. The train management system then compares the geographical coordinates and/or the feature identifier from the tag with the expected geographical coordinates and/or the expected feature identifier in the track database. | 01-21-2016 |
246027000 | Automatic | 29 |
20090230254 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING TRAIN IN THE PRESENCE OF MULTIPLE ALTERNATE ROUTES - 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. | 09-17-2009 |
20110108677 | TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A train control system that does not allow running by erroneously receiving a signal of a further preceding train toward the front, nor permits a following train approaching another train beyond an allowable range. The system includes an existing signal system controlling running of a preceding train and a following train based on transmission signals from existing signal transmission devices, an inter-train communications system controlling running of the following train by an inter-train communications transmission signal received from the preceding train, and a train-ID transmission/reception system that detects, using a ground-based train-ID transmission/reception device, passing of the preceding train and also acquires train information of the preceding train, and that then detects passing of the following train and also transmits the train information to the following train, thereby controlling the running of the following train utilizing either one of the existing signal system and the inter-train communications system by changing over therebetween based on the train information. | 05-12-2011 |
20120217350 | Method & apparatus for an interlocking control device - A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating the vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. In turn, a signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. | 08-30-2012 |
20140209752 | TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A train control system includes an on-board device | 07-31-2014 |
246028000 | Electric | 25 |
20090266943 | System and Method For Pacing A Powered System Traveling Along A Route - A system is provided for pacing a powered system traveling along a route separated into a plurality of block regions. Each block region has a respective signal. The system includes a controller configured to receive a status of the signal in an adjacent block region to a current block region of the powered system. The controller is configured to determine a time duration between a change in the status of the signal in an adjacent block region. The controller is further configured to determine an expected status of the signal to be experienced by the powered system in the plurality of block regions, based upon the time duration and a route parameter of the plurality of block regions. | 10-29-2009 |
20110284699 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting first data at a first rail vehicle of the consist over a power supply conductor to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where at least one rail vehicle of the consist receives direct electrical power from the power supply conductor. The method also includes monitoring the power supply conductor for second data at the first rail vehicle and receiving the second data over the power supply conductor at the first rail vehicle for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle. In one aspect, the transmitting step comprises transmitting the first data over one or more of a catenary line or a third rail that supplies the electrical power. | 11-24-2011 |
20110284700 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST - A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting, at a first rail vehicle in the consist, first data over a running rail to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where the running rail guides and supports the rail vehicles of the consist as the rail vehicles travel along the running rail. The method also includes monitoring the running rail for second data and receiving the second data over the running rail for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle. | 11-24-2011 |
20130233979 | TRACK CIRCUIT TRANSCEIVER - Transceivers may be used in track circuits. A transceiver may comprise an H-bridge circuit comprising at least four switches. A control unit in communication with the H-bridge circuit may be constructed and arranged to selectively drive the at least four switches to selectively cause the H-bridge circuit to function as a transmitter or a receiver. A power supply terminal in communication with the H-bridge circuit may be constructed and arranged to connect to a power supply. A track interface terminal in communication with the H-bridge circuit may be constructed and arranged to connect to a track interface cable so that the H-bridge circuit is capable of transmitting signals to and/or receiving signals from the track interface cable. | 09-12-2013 |
20130240679 | METHOD AND SEQUENTIAL MONITORING OVERLAY SYSTEM FOR TRACK CIRCUITS - A sequential monitoring system is for an interlocking logic system and a track circuit system including a plurality of track circuits. The sequential monitoring system includes an interface between the interlocking logic system and the track circuit system; and a processor structured to monitor a state of each of the track circuits, validate a sequence of state changes of the track circuits, and interrupt and correct invalid track circuit state indications between the track circuit system and the interlocking logic system. The interface normally passes inputs from the track circuit system to outputs to the interlocking logic system. When an out of sequence event occurs, the processor applies a quarantine to a minimum of three of the track circuits in a quarantined area, thereby inhibiting use of an unoccupied track circuit in the quarantined area. | 09-19-2013 |
20160016598 | DEVICE FOR INTERFACING RAILWAY DRIVER ADVISORY SYSTEM - A train management system includes: an on-board server unit of a given train; and a railway operating centre. The railway operating centre includes: (i) a track monitoring unit which monitors locations of trains and statuses of trackside signalling equipment, and creates signalling settings to be enacted by the signalling equipment based on the current train locations and the current statuses of the trackside signalling equipment; and (ii) a timetable updating unit which updates timetables for the trains based on the current train locations. The train management system further includes a calculation module which, while the given train is running, repeatedly calculates a recommended speed profile for the given train compatible with the latest updated timetable for the given train and latest updated signals from the signalling settings. The on-board server unit displays the latest recommended speed profile as advice for the driver of the train. | 01-21-2016 |
20160096538 | FAILSAFE RAIL MOUNTED SHUNT DEVICE - The present disclosure generally relates to shunt devices for providing multi-fold protection for track workers. For example, a failsafe shunt device may have a pair of end components magnetically couple to two running rails and a central unit connected to the pair of end components via electrical wires. The failsafe shunt device may communicate with an operations control center (OCC) to indicate a presence of the shunt device. Related methods of using disclosed shunt devices and associated systems are also described. | 04-07-2016 |
246029000 | Radiant energy | 3 |
20110186692 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PACING A POWERED SYSTEM TRAVELING ALONG A ROUTE - A system is provided for pacing a powered system traveling along a route separated into a plurality of block regions. Each block region has a respective signal. The system includes a controller configured to receive a status of the signal in an adjacent block region to a current block region of the powered system. The controller is configured to determine a time duration between a change in the status of the signal in an adjacent block region. The controller is further configured to determine an expected status of the signal to be experienced by the powered system in the plurality of block regions, based upon the time duration and a route parameter of the plurality of block regions. | 08-04-2011 |
20140209761 | TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - With respect to each of trains, a ground device | 07-31-2014 |
246030000 | Hertzian wave | 1 |
20150008293 | TRAIN CONTROL APPARATUS - A train control apparatus includes: a first ground device | 01-08-2015 |
246033000 | Single track | 2 |
20130187010 | TRACK CIRCUIT APPARATUS FOR TRAIN - A track circuit apparatus for a train, the track circuit apparatus includes: a ground-based transmitter that is installed corresponding to each of a plurality of block sections divided from a track circuit formed by rails, digitally modulates transmission data by a carrier frequency predetermined and common for each of the block sections, assigns different pseudo random noise (PN) codes to adjacent block sections, and modulates and transmits the data; and a ground-based receiver or an on-train receiver that demodulates received data corresponding to a block section based on the carrier frequency of one of reception signals received from the block section and the PN code assigned to the block section. | 07-25-2013 |
20130327897 | METHOD FOR IMPROVING OPERATION DENSITY OF RAIL VEHICLES AND PREVENTING HEAD-ON COLLISION AND REAR-ENDING COLLISION - The present invention provides a method for improving operation density of rail vehicles and for preventing head-on collision and rear-ending collision. Said method divides a rail line into equidistant electronic zones, the length of a zone being greater than the shortest safe distance between two running vehicles. Said method installs a locomotive passing detection alarm device in each zone, when a locomotive travels at high speed on the rail, the locomotive passing detection alarm device corresponding to the zone occupied by the locomotive itself will simultaneously access adjacent front and back zones, and determine whether the two adjacent zones are simultaneously occupied by locomotives. If the two adjacent. zones are simultaneously occupied by locomotives, the locomotive passing alarm device will send an alarm signal to the locomotives to warn or otherwise take measures. The aforesaid method can avoid locomotive head-on collision and rear-end collision and increase transportation density according to the vehicle speed and distance at the same time, thus improving the transportation efficiency. | 12-12-2013 |
246034000 | Varying-current track circuit | 8 |
20090173842 | METHODS AND SYSTEM OF AUTOMATING TRACK CIRCUIT CALIBRATION - 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. | 07-09-2009 |
20110011985 | TRACK CIRCUIT COMMUNICATIONS - An overlay track circuit is used to transmit information through a block of railroad tracks. In one embodiment, one of a plurality of codes assigned to a receiver/transmitter pair are used to represent each information segment (which may be one or more bits) of an information signal. In another embodiment, bits of the information signal are transmitted between periodic repetitions of a code associated with the transmitter/receiver pair. The modulation may be performed using a frequency shift key technique. Track circuits may be connected to relay information between adjacent blocks of track. | 01-20-2011 |
20130284859 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING BROKEN RAIL AND OCCUPIED TRACK FROM A RAILWAY VEHICLE - A method is provided for detecting broken rail, unintentionally misaligned turnouts, and track occupancy ahead of or behind a railway vehicle traveling on a railroad track. Shunts extend between the rails at intervals along the railroad track. Each shunt has electrical signal transmission characteristics differing from those of adjacent shunts. A test unit on the railway vehicle induces a test signal in a first rail to create a track circuit in which the test signal propagates along the first rail, through at least one of the shunts, returns to the railway vehicle along the second rail, and through the wheels and axle of the railway vehicle. The test signal has electrical properties selected to interact with at least one of the shunts. The received test signal on the second rail is analyzed to identify predetermined conditions concerning the status of the railroad track. | 10-31-2013 |
20140117168 | ESTIMATED TRAIN OCCUPANCY RANGE DETERMINATION DEVICE, ONBOARD SYSTEM, AND ESTIMATED TRAIN OCCUPANCY RANGE DETERMINATION METHOD - An onboard system measures the train position by measuring the rotational speed of a tacho-generator, determines an estimated train occupancy range (in which the train may be present) using the train position, and transmits the estimated train occupancy range to a ground system. The onboard system corrects the train position based on the results of communication with a correction coil when the train has passed through the installation point of a correction coil. When the train position has been shifted backward as a result of correction that utilizes the correction coil, the onboard system determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the train position immediately before correction until the latest train position reaches the train position immediately before correction, and determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the latest train position after the latest train position has reached the train position immediately before correction. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117169 | OCCUPANCY DETECTION DEVICE AND OCCUPANCY DETECTION METHOD - An onboard system transmits a train occupancy range based on a measured train position to a ground system. The ground system provisionally detects the occupancy state of each block section based on the train occupancy range acquired from the onboard system. Exit detection points (Qh, Qr) are set at a position outside each block section. It is determined that the train has left the block section when the entirety of the train occupancy range has passed the exit detection point (Qh, Qr). When the provisional detection result indicates that the detection target block section is not occupied, and it has been determined that the train has left the detection target block section, it is determined that the detection target block section is not occupied. | 05-01-2014 |
20160090113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING TRACK CIRCUITS - A system includes a track system having a first rail and a second rail, a track activity detection circuit electrically connected to each of the first rail and the second rail, a track shunt circuit electrically connected to the first rail and the second rail, wherein the track shunt circuit is configured to selectively electrically connect the first rail and the second rail through a shunt. A method includes receiving an instruction to apply a shunt between a first rail and a second rail of a track system, and electrically connecting the first rail to the second rail through a controllable track shunt circuit. | 03-31-2016 |
20110204189 | ELECTRONIC TRACK RELAY, AND RAILROAD SIGNALING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - In an electronic track relay, electronic relay circuitry receives an input track signal coded at a pre-determined code rate, and regenerates the input track signal at the pre-determined code rate after a predetermined time delay. A driving circuit is coupled to the electronic relay circuitry for receiving the delayed track signal therefrom and conducting, at the predetermined code rate, at least a power source to at least one of various components in a railroad signaling system. A latching circuit is configured for latching the driving circuit into one among a plurality of configurations respectively corresponding to a plurality of different signaling location types, depending on a signaling location type of the railroad signaling system in which the electronic track relay is installed. | 08-25-2011 |
246035000 | Propulsion-current return | 1 |
246036000 | Double rail | 1 |
246037000 | Impedance bond | 1 |
20100163686 | DOUBLE IMPEDANCE BOND - A low profile double impedance bond for placement between a pair of rails and for electrical connection to opposite sides of a pair of insulated breaks on the pair of rails, the impedance bond comprising a rectangular enclosure attachable to ties supporting the pair of rails, the enclosure having a pair of ends and a pair of sides, each side for alignment parallel to one of the rails, the impedance bond having four coils each formed of a strip of copper foil with two ends wound in a spiral configuration about a core, the impedance bond having a terminal connection array formed of a plurality of copper conductors, the conductors, cores, and coils are arranged in a low profile manner on a single platform allowing quick installation inbetween rails. | 07-01-2010 |
246034000 | Coded circuits | 1 |
20090173842 | METHODS AND SYSTEM OF AUTOMATING TRACK CIRCUIT CALIBRATION - 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. | 07-09-2009 |
20110011985 | TRACK CIRCUIT COMMUNICATIONS - An overlay track circuit is used to transmit information through a block of railroad tracks. In one embodiment, one of a plurality of codes assigned to a receiver/transmitter pair are used to represent each information segment (which may be one or more bits) of an information signal. In another embodiment, bits of the information signal are transmitted between periodic repetitions of a code associated with the transmitter/receiver pair. The modulation may be performed using a frequency shift key technique. Track circuits may be connected to relay information between adjacent blocks of track. | 01-20-2011 |
20130284859 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING BROKEN RAIL AND OCCUPIED TRACK FROM A RAILWAY VEHICLE - A method is provided for detecting broken rail, unintentionally misaligned turnouts, and track occupancy ahead of or behind a railway vehicle traveling on a railroad track. Shunts extend between the rails at intervals along the railroad track. Each shunt has electrical signal transmission characteristics differing from those of adjacent shunts. A test unit on the railway vehicle induces a test signal in a first rail to create a track circuit in which the test signal propagates along the first rail, through at least one of the shunts, returns to the railway vehicle along the second rail, and through the wheels and axle of the railway vehicle. The test signal has electrical properties selected to interact with at least one of the shunts. The received test signal on the second rail is analyzed to identify predetermined conditions concerning the status of the railroad track. | 10-31-2013 |
20140117168 | ESTIMATED TRAIN OCCUPANCY RANGE DETERMINATION DEVICE, ONBOARD SYSTEM, AND ESTIMATED TRAIN OCCUPANCY RANGE DETERMINATION METHOD - An onboard system measures the train position by measuring the rotational speed of a tacho-generator, determines an estimated train occupancy range (in which the train may be present) using the train position, and transmits the estimated train occupancy range to a ground system. The onboard system corrects the train position based on the results of communication with a correction coil when the train has passed through the installation point of a correction coil. When the train position has been shifted backward as a result of correction that utilizes the correction coil, the onboard system determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the train position immediately before correction until the latest train position reaches the train position immediately before correction, and determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the latest train position after the latest train position has reached the train position immediately before correction. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117169 | OCCUPANCY DETECTION DEVICE AND OCCUPANCY DETECTION METHOD - An onboard system transmits a train occupancy range based on a measured train position to a ground system. The ground system provisionally detects the occupancy state of each block section based on the train occupancy range acquired from the onboard system. Exit detection points (Qh, Qr) are set at a position outside each block section. It is determined that the train has left the block section when the entirety of the train occupancy range has passed the exit detection point (Qh, Qr). When the provisional detection result indicates that the detection target block section is not occupied, and it has been determined that the train has left the detection target block section, it is determined that the detection target block section is not occupied. | 05-01-2014 |
20160090113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING TRACK CIRCUITS - A system includes a track system having a first rail and a second rail, a track activity detection circuit electrically connected to each of the first rail and the second rail, a track shunt circuit electrically connected to the first rail and the second rail, wherein the track shunt circuit is configured to selectively electrically connect the first rail and the second rail through a shunt. A method includes receiving an instruction to apply a shunt between a first rail and a second rail of a track system, and electrically connecting the first rail to the second rail through a controllable track shunt circuit. | 03-31-2016 |
20110204189 | ELECTRONIC TRACK RELAY, AND RAILROAD SIGNALING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - In an electronic track relay, electronic relay circuitry receives an input track signal coded at a pre-determined code rate, and regenerates the input track signal at the pre-determined code rate after a predetermined time delay. A driving circuit is coupled to the electronic relay circuitry for receiving the delayed track signal therefrom and conducting, at the predetermined code rate, at least a power source to at least one of various components in a railroad signaling system. A latching circuit is configured for latching the driving circuit into one among a plurality of configurations respectively corresponding to a plurality of different signaling location types, depending on a signaling location type of the railroad signaling system in which the electronic track relay is installed. | 08-25-2011 |
246062000 | Cab signal or train control | 4 |
20100327125 | METHOD FOR SIGNAL-TECHNOLOGY SAFEGUARDING OF RAIL VEHICLES AND SAFEGUARDING SYSTEMS RELATED THERETO - A method and a protection system for signaling protection of rail vehicles connected to at least one central monitoring facility through a data radio system. In order to eliminate cost-intensive and highly complicated protection technology, the vehicles convey instantaneous position data through the data radio system to the monitoring facility. A safety area is defined around each of the vehicles. The safety area depends on a vehicle speed and a measured value scatter of the positional data collection method being used. A warning area surrounds the safety area and the monitoring facility determines movement-defining data through the vehicle-specific position data, safety areas and warning areas. In order to avoid collision-related overlaps of safety zones and to counteract collision-related overlaps of warning areas, the movement-defining data are transmitted to the affected vehicles by way of the data radio system in the event of collision-relevant overlaps. | 12-30-2010 |
20140103167 | TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM WITH PULSE-CODE-MODULATED CAB SIGNALING - A train control system with pulse code-modulated cab signaling, especially for defining traveling speeds, includes a code generator acting upon a signal generator in dependence on a direction of travel. An output signal of the signal generator is supplied to a current track circuit covering a track section. In order to economize on components, the signal generator includes a transmitting device for modulating the input signals of both code generators. The transmitting device is connected to circuit connection adaptation devices on one of two entry ends of the track section through travel direction-specific outputs. | 04-17-2014 |
20150302752 | TRACK COLLISION AVOIDANCE CONTROL SYSTEM - A track collision avoidance control system including a train having an onboard control system for controlling one or more characteristics of the train. The track collision avoidance control system can further include a warning indication system comprising a transmitter linked to a communication system supported about the train, the communication system comprising a receiver operable to receive a signal from the transmitter, the signal comprising information pertaining to a potentially dangerous condition. The transmitter can be operable alone or in combination with a warning indicator, an actuator and their associated logic circuitry, such that the transmitter is caused to transmit upon the warning indicator being activated. The communication system can interface with an onboard control system of the train. The communication system can receive the signal, which can be used to facilitate an avoidance action to be taken relative to the train. | 10-22-2015 |
246063000 | Inductive | 1 |
20160107663 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING AND UPDATING WAYSIDE DEVICES - Methods and systems relate to establishing a communication link with a wayside device, determining whether or not to at least one of update or configure the wayside device in dependence upon at least one update parameter, and when it is determined to update or configure the wayside device, updating or configuring the wayside device from a remote location. | 04-21-2016 |
246087000 | Line-current supply | 1 |
20160375917 | FIXED BLOCK TRACK CIRCUIT - An active fixed block track circuit comprises at least a fixed block section, comprising at least two rails corresponding to each other, each having an isolation connector at two ends thereof and connected to a power supply unit and a traffic signal; a short driving unit, connected to each of the two rails within the fixed block section; and a detection unit, connected to the short driving unit. In this manner, not only the previous rail traffic signal circuit function where no more than one train may be allowed into the same fixed block section is maintained, but also another train approaching from the rear may be prevented from entering the fixed block section when the detection unit at the fixed block section detects an exceptional case happening at a neighboring fixed block section so that the traffic signal unit is switched into a stop traffic signal. | 12-29-2016 |
246107000 | Recorders | 2 |
20100025545 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A TRANSPORTATION TRACK IS OCCUPIED - 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. | 02-04-2010 |
20160114820 | RAIL VEHICLE EVENT DETECTION AND RECORDING SYSTEM - This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting and recording rail vehicle events. The system comprises one or more cameras, one or more sensors, non-transient electronic storage, one or more physical computer processors, and/or other components. The one or more cameras may be configured to acquire visual information representing a rail vehicle environment. The one or more sensors may be configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle. The non-transient electronic storage may be configured to store electronic information. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured to detect rail vehicle events based on the output signals and facilitate electronic storage of the visual information and the operation information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in the non-transient electronic storage. | 04-28-2016 |