| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 246122000 | TRAIN-POSITION INDICATION | 55 |
| 20090050751 | APPARATUS FOR GENERATING POSITION SIGNALS FOR RAIL-BOUND VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR MAGNETIC LEVITATION VEHICLES - The invention relates to a device for producing position signals, which indicates the position of a tracked vehicle along a vehicle track. The device comprises a plurality of markers ( | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090194643 | Method and Apparatus for Detection of the Occupied or Free State of a Track Section - A method and a device for detecting the occupied or free status of a section of track by way of a track current circuit, into which a transmitted signal is introduced and from which at least one detection signal is extracted. A longer maximum possible track length is achieved in that the track current circuit is divided into part sections overlapping over half the length thereof. The transmitted signal is introduced in the middle of each part section into which a rail vehicle enters, detection signals being extracted at both ends of the part section or further transmitted over adjacent part sections to the track circuit ends and extracted there. Each part section is provided in the center and the ends thereof with transceiver devices. The central transceiver device functions as a transmitter and the end transceiver devices function as receivers. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090277998 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING RAILWAY VACANCY - 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. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100032529 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR TRACKING A RAILYARD INVENTORY - A system for tracking a rail yard inventory may be incorporated in a rail yard that has a plurality of tracks on which a plurality of railcars in a train are moved and arranged wherein each track is associated with a destination of the railcars on the track. A controller, responsive to signals from sensors, counts the number of railcars that enter and exit a track to determine if railcars have been added or removed from the train. The controller updates the railcar sequence in the train and a database having data relative to the location of each railcar in the rail yard and sequence in which railcars are linked on a track. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20110127388 | DEVICE FOR THE DETECTION OF THE OCCUPIED OR FREE STATE OF A TRACK SECTION - A device is configured to detect whether a track section is occupied or free. The device includes at least one transmitter on the vehicle side, and pairs of receivers on the track side, which are disposed at the ends of the track section, each having first and second receivers disposed at a distance in the track direction. The receivers receive signals from the transmitter as the vehicle passes. They are connected to an analysis unit. In order to ensure exact association between the track section ends and the current vehicle position, the invention provides that for a coupling range between the transmitter and the receiver, plus a maximum driving segment, which results from a minimum pulse duration of the receivers and a maximum segment speed, a response of the receivers during passage is preset such that the responses of the receivers of the receiver pair overlap in the event of increase of the coupling range due to an error. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110147535 | Track circuit - A track circuit for railway systems or the like includes a track segment of predetermined length electrically insulated from an adjacent track segment by an electric joint, which includes a conductor and forms two loops arranged in a longitudinal S-shape within the space between the rails. Units are provided that transmit and receive electric signals and that are operatively coupled with the electric joints. The transmitting/receiving units include a unit transmitting and receiving a high-frequency signal to detect a train on the a track segment, and a unit transmitting and receiving a low-frequency signal which provides the carrier encoded with information to be transmitted to a train-based receiving unit. Units are further provided that enable/disable the high-frequency signal transmitting/receiving units, and units that enable/disable the low-frequency signal transmitting/receiving units, which are alternately actuated. The electric joint includes an internal impedance disposed between the two loops. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110174934 | TRAIN DETECTOR AND TRAIN SECURITY DEVICE FOR DUAL GAUGE TRACK CIRCUIT - When a prior art track circuit for monitoring an electric signal supplied to a rail via a transmitter and a receiver connected to the rail for detecting a presence of a train using a phenomenon in which the reception level of a signal drops when axles of a train electrically short two rails together and sending a train control signal to the train is applied to a dual gauge track circuit in which two types of trains having different gauges share a rail, mutual induction between rails occurs which is a problem specific to the dual gauge track circuit, and the amount of attenuation of the train detection signal when a train is present on a track drops. The present invention prevents the mutual induction between rails and suppresses the drop of the amount of attenuation of the train detection signal when a train is present on a track by providing a train detector for recognizing two types of trains and detecting the presence of trains on the track via transmitters and receivers respectively connected to three rails, including filters for passing relevant signals and increasing the impedance of signals of other signal bands disposed on input stages of the respective receivers. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110309204 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE OCCUPIED STATE AND THE FREE STATE OF A TRACK SECTION AS WELL AS METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE - An apparatus for the detection of an occupied or free state of a track section, which is particularly simple and at the same time particularly resistant to interference influences, includes a transmitter for feeding a transmitted signal, encoded by modulation, into rails of the track section and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal which is brought about by transmission of the transmitted signal through the running rails of the track section. The apparatus compares the modulation of the received signal with the modulation of the transmitted signal. A method for operation of an apparatus for detection of the occupied and free state of a track section is also provided. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120056042 | TRACKING ROLLING STOCK IN A CONTROLLED AREA OF A RAILWAY SYSTEM - A system for monitoring the location of rolling stock within a controlled area of a railway system is provided. The system includes a plurality of axle counters within the controlled area, wherein the axle counts are associated with a global sequence identifier. A central controller processes the axle counts and associated global sequence identifier in conjunction with a list of rolling stock entering the controlled area to provide a real time map of the location of each piece of rolling stock within the controlled area. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120153089 | POSITION FINDING SYSTEM - Position finding system having a sensor unit and a transmitter unit. The sensor unit comprises a first RFID transponder reader unit, a first inductive detector unit, and an analysis unit connected to the RFID transponder reader unit and the inductive detector unit; the transmitter unit comprises an RFID transponder and a metallic material. The sensor unit is movable relative to the transmitter unit. The RFID transponder reader unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a first position value, and the inductive detector unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a second position value. The analysis unit is configured to determine, from the data acquired from the transmitter unit, an absolute position of the sensor unit from the first and second position values. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120181390 | VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM - A vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on-track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on-track vehicles. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120241566 | Detector for cold movement detection of a railway vehicle, and method for its operation - An inventive detector detects movement of a railway vehicle in a powerless time interval. At its beginning, indicator items or first magnetic antagonists of detection cells are lifted by actuators to a switching device, which provides at least one holding section or second magnetic antagonist for a part of the indicator items which then stick to or near to the switching device by magnetic force. The switching device, though, is movably mounted and coupled to the railway vehicle's movement, so the holding section moves relative the detection cells if the railway vehicle moves. As a result, detection cells from which the holding section moves away experience a drop of the indicator item due to gravity. By means of sensors, such a drop is detected at the end of the time interval and used for cold movement indication. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120256057 | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING SIGNALS AND MULTIPLE TRAINS TRAVELING ON THE SAME TRACK - An electrical device not only controls train signals as trains advance, but also alters the voltage in the tracks leading up to the signals so that the trains will actually stop at a red signal, slow at an amber aspect and continue on at full speed when the signal is showing green. The electrical device of the present invention can change the “block signal” from “green” to “red”, thereby signaling the engineer behind the train to come to a stop. In addition, the electrical device can simultaneously change the voltage in the tracks to stop the approaching train at the red signal. Only when the forward train has cleared will the approaching train get a clear signal and voltage to resume its forward progress. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120273624 | RAIL SYSTEM FOR A POWERED PALLET CONVEYOR - A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n≧2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m≧2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching. The switch comprises a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points A second actuator selectively positions [m(n−1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120325979 | TRAIN SENSOR UNIT FOR SENSING RADIO COMMUNICATION BASED TRAIN, TRAIN POSITION SENSING SYSTEM, AND TRAIN POSITION SENSING METHOD OF THE SYSTEM - Provided is a train sensor unit for sensing a radio communication based train to transmit train sensing information to a control unit, which includes a sensor unit, a controller unit, and a communication unit. The sensor unit obtains environmental information about an environment in which the train travels. The controller unit determines whether the train is present, based on the obtained environmental information. The communication unit wirelessly transmits the train sensing information to the control unit if the train is present. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130015296 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINATION OF THE TRACK OCCUPANCY STATE OF A TRACK CIRCUIT ON A RAIWAY LINE VIA SEQUENTIAL CODINGAANM Maurizio; MorelliAACI GenovaAACO ITAAGP Maurizio; Morelli Genova ITAANM Trentini; DanieleAACI GenovaAACO ITAAGP Trentini; Daniele Genova IT - An apparatus for determining the state of occupation of a track circuit on a railway line provided with a plurality of track circuits adjacent to one another, said circuit comprising a pair of rails (R) formed by parallel metal sectional elements between which it is possible to apply a voltage, each track circuit being separated from the adjacent stretch via electrically insulating joints (G). Said apparatus comprises a transmission block ( | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130048795 | Light Rail Vehicle Monitoring and Stop Bar Overrun System - A satellite positioning location based control and monitoring system for light rail transit systems which enables transit personnel to track vehicle positions, progress and non-vital signals as light rail vehicles travel through their routes while eliminating the capital and maintenance costs associated with embedded light rail transit monitoring systems. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130062474 | TRAIN DETECTION - Occupancy of a railroad track detection zone by one or more trains is determined using sensor devices located at gateways into and out of the track detection zone. Each sensor device has a sensing range that includes a portion of the railroad track in the detection zone and the sensor device generates data used to uniquely identify each train passing through a gateway and thus the sensing range of one or more sensor devices. Data from the detection zone's sensor device array is collected and evaluated to monitor or track the status of any detected trains and the occupancy of the zone. In some embodiments, the sensor devices utilize anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor elements whose analog waveform data is the basis of magnetic flux peak detection and mapping to generate unique train identification signature data that is transmitted to and evaluated by a detection zone processor, which in some cases can control crossing signals and/or other control apparatus related to the railroad track detection zone. The unique train identification signature data can include digitized amplitude peaks and their sequence for each train, based on that train's generated analog waveform data. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130146719 | FREQUENCY CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAILWAY WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A frequency control apparatus and method for railway wireless communication are provided. The frequency control apparatus includes a variable frequency processor and a fixed frequency processor. The variable frequency processor selects an available variable frequency and wirelessly receives non-safety-related train running information from a base station at the selected variable frequency. The fixed frequency processor wirelessly receives safety-related train running information at a predetermined fixed frequency. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130193276 | SYSTEM FOR INDUCTIVE POWER TRANSFER AND ROBUST POSITION SENSING - Linear synchronous motors (LSM) propel rail vehicles with greater efficiency and less environmental impact than diesel locomotives. LSM engines may require a position signal to commutate the windings of the ISM. This disclosure describes systems and methods for accurate determination of vehicle position based on position information derived from inductive power received and acceleration of the vehicle. Another aspect of the systems/methods is to estimate vehicle position with GPS and/or RFID readings of tags external to the vehicle. These estimates may be used to identify faults in vehicle position measurement, update the determined vehicle position, and correct acceleration estimates. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130240677 | AUTOMATIC END-OF-TRAIN DETECTION SYSTEM - An automatic end-of-train detection system that can inform the train driver and the operations control center that the length of the train is safe and secure, without human intervention is provided. The system comprises a first module installed on the final railcar of the train comprising a transmitter that is activated when the condition indicating the pass-through movement of the last railcar is present and that continues to transmit while the pass-through movement condition remains present; and a second module installed on at least one fixed station placed close to the track, comprising a receiver that receives the signal transmitted by the transmitter of the first module and sends a message indicating the pass-through movement of the final railcar to the railway train driver. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130248658 | TRAIN PROTECTION DEVICE AND TRAIN POSITION DECISION METHOD - A train protection device, which decides a position of an own train on track by using GPS satellites, includes: a GPS reception unit; a tachogenerator unit; a track-information storage unit; and a position decision unit. The position decision unit decides the position of the own train based on the GPS signal, the reception state value, the running distance from the reference position, the current speed, and the information of a track on which the own train runs. When the reception state value is equal to or larger than a threshold, the position decision unit decides a position as a current train position by adding, with respect to a forward direction of the track on which the own train runs, a correction value. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130264430 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATION OF A RAILWAY BRANCH LINE - A method and an apparatus for operation of a railway branch line, which has line devices, in particular points, signals, axle counters, beacons and/or approach signaling devices, for specific functions. At least one first line device can be operated in an active mode and in a power-saving mode. In order to simplify the switching from the power-saving mode to the active mode, the active mode of the first line device is activated by a second line device when a rail vehicle moves over the second line device, possibly after a predetermined delay time has elapsed. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130299645 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20140014783 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE OCCUPIED OR AVAILABLE STATUS OF A TRACK SEGMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE - A device for detecting an occupied or available status of a track segment has a transmitter for feeding in a transmitted signal into the travel rails of the track segment and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal generated by transmitting the transmitted signal via the travel rails of the track segment. In order to simplify commissioning, the device is implemented for varying the frequency of the transmitted signal, for determining a resonant frequency of the transmitted signal, and for adjusting the frequency of the transmitted signal to the determined resonant frequency. A method for operating the device for detecting the occupied or available status of a rail segment is further discussed. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140042278 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A SWITCHING YARD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR A SWITCHING YARD - A particularly efficient method for operating a switching yard includes determining a position of a locomotive on an inbound track of the switching yard, determining a position of a front end of a unit to be divided facing a hump of the switching yard relative to a unit to be divided to be pushed by the locomotive from the inbound track to the hump, determining a distance between the locomotive and the front end of the unit to be divided on the basis of the determined positions, and comparing the determined distance to a reference value for the length of the unit to be divided. A control device for a switching yard is also provided. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140054424 | TRAIN SIGNALING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DISTANCE-TO-GO OF A TRAIN - A train signaling system, including a traffic signaling chain terminus set up unit configured to set a terminus location of a train running on the track and transmit a wireless traffic signal, a plurality of traffic signaling chain relay units installed along the track and configured to forward the wireless traffic signal and allow the wireless traffic signal to form a traffic signaling chain comprising distance-to-go information of the train, and a traffic signaling chain detection unit configured to allow the train to achieve the receipt of the information on the traffic signaling chain and calculate the distance-to-go of the train. A method for detecting distance-to-go of a train is also provided. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140209753 | GROUND DEVICE FOR TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A ground device 1 transmits train control information to an on-board device mounted on a train. The ground device 1 receives a train detection signal (TD signal) from a train with an ATC/TD on-board device mounted thereon through loop coils | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140263857 | TRAIN DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Techniques for improving safety at railroad track crossings are described. Example embodiments provide a train detection and collision avoidance system configured to detect potential collisions between vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, motorcycles) and trains. The system detects potential collisions based on location information obtained by tracking modules installed in or carried by the trains and vehicles. When a potential collision between a vehicle and a train is detected, the train detection system alerts an operator of the vehicle and/or the train, so that the operator can take steps to avoid the collision. The operator may be alerted in various ways, including by audio, visual, or tactile output. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140291454 | Light Rail Vehicle Monitoring and Stop Bar Overrun System - A satellite positioning location based control and monitoring system for light rail transit systems which enables transit personnel to track vehicle positions, progress and non-vital signals as light rail vehicles travel through their routes while eliminating the capital and maintenance costs associated with embedded light rail transit monitoring systems. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140319285 | VARIABLE FREQUENCY TRAIN DETECTION - A method and device capable of reliable and accurate train prediction determinations that account for, and overcome the problems associated with, changing ballast conditions. The method and device will detect the presence of a train in an approach area based on a rail characteristic measured in relation to a first measurement frequency transmitted along the rails. If there is a condition such as a ballast condition that may affect the rail characteristic, the method and device will detect the distance and speed of the train based on a rail characteristic measured in relation to a second measurement frequency transmitted along the rails. Otherwise, the distance and speed of the train will be determined based on the rail characteristic measured in relation to the first measurement frequency. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140319286 | TRAIN DIRECTION DETECTION VIA TRACK CIRCUITS - Track circuits and constant warning time devices that can make train direction determinations using multi-frequency track impedance measurements and combinations of frequency tuned shunts. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140326835 | VEHICLE POSITION DETERMINING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A position determining system for a vehicle on a guideway which includes an on-board controller configured to determine a position of the vehicle on the guideway. The position determining system further includes a transmitter/detector array configured to emit an interrogation signal and to receive reflection signals based on the emitted interrogation signal. The transmitter/detector array includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the second antenna spaced from the first antenna in a direction of travel of the vehicle. The position determining system further includes a transponder identification database configured to store transponder information. The on-board controller is configured to determine the position of the vehicle along the guideway based on a modulated reflection signal received by the transmitter/detector array and a first non-modulated reflection signal received by the transmitter/detector array. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20150008294 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING SPEED AND POSITION OF A VEHICLE MOVING ALONG A GUIDANCE TRACK, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT CORRESPONDING THERETO - A device is provided for measuring speed and/or position of a vehicle moving along a guidance track, by day and by night, and doing so whatever the climatic conditions. Such a device includes at least one image capture apparatus delivering a sequence of digital images of an environment of the vehicle; an apparatus that determines the apparent motion of at least one visual index, called a primitive, between two images delivered by the image capture apparatus, so as to determine the apparent motion of said at least one visual index; and an apparatus that estimates speed and/or the position of the vehicle on the basis of the apparent motion of the at least one visual index. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150021444 | INTEGRATED TIME-STAMPED EVENT RECORDER - An event recorder includes an outer case, and a first memory module including a first amount of data storage capacity contained within the outer case. The first memory module is configured to receive and store multiple types of data including at least two of: video data; audio data; locomotive data indicative of one or more locomotive operating parameters, locomotive control signals, and locomotive performance characteristics; engine operating parameter data; exhaust characteristics data; electrical data; and positive train control data. A controller contained within the outer case may be configured to associate a universal time stamp with each of the multiple types of data stored in the first memory module. An inner, crash-hardened case may be contained within the outer case, containing a second memory module including a second amount of data storage capacity that is smaller than the first amount. The controller may be further configured to periodically transfer a portion of the time-stamped data stored in the first memory module to the second memory module. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150053828 | DETERMINING POSITIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CARS IN A CONSIST - A method is disclosed for determining the positional relationship between a locomotive in a consist and a tender car in the consist. The method may include transmitting a signal from a locomotive controller to the tender car. The signal may be processed at the tender car in a manner uniquely indicative of one end of the tender car. A locomotive controller associated with the locomotive may receive an indication of an effect of the signal processing, and use the indication to establish the positional relationship between the locomotive and the one end of the tender car. The locomotive controller associated with the locomotive may transmit a signal indicative of fuel requirements and including the positional information to a controller associated with the tender car. The tender car controller may transfer fuel from the one end of the tender car to the locomotive. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150060608 | Rail Vehicle Signal Enforcement and Separation Control - A system for vehicle management includes a control signal interface subsystem and a vehicle-mounted subsystem. Each of these subsystems includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) communications component. The subsystems communicate with each other through the UWB components. The vehicle mounted subsystem interfaces with a braking system of the vehicle. The vehicle mounted subsystem determines the distance between it and the control signal interface subsystem based on the time-of-flight of at least one communication between the subsystems. The vehicle-mounted subsystem can cause the braking system of the vehicle to activate if the distance between the vehicle-mounted subsystem and the control signal interface subsystem is less than a threshold. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150102177 | USING WAYSIDE SIGNALS TO OPTIMIZE TRAIN DRIVING UNDER AN OVERARCHING RAILWAY NETWORK SAFETY SYSTEM - Disclosed embodiments provide a system and methodologies that provide an optimized train driving strategy using wayside signaling while conforming to the requirements of a wayside track safety system, e.g., the “Automatic Train Protection” (ATP) System. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150291193 | TRAIN SAFETY SYSTEM - A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293139 | Method for Controlling the Operation of a Positioning System of a Train - The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a positioning system ( | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150307119 | Method & apparatus for an auxiliary train control system - A method and an apparatus for a train control installation are disclosed, and are based on the absolute permissive block concept. The train control installation employs a plurality of generic absolute block signal units (ABSU), wherein each signal unit includes means for detecting the crossing of a train passed a discrete point, means for exchanging data with adjacent ABSUs, means for generating and communicating a movement authority limit to a train, means for generating and displaying a signal indication, and means for enforcing a stop aspect. The train control installation can be used in conjunction with a communication based train control (CBTC) system to provide a degraded mode of operation without impacting the availability and the reliability of the CBTC system. Further, the train control installation has a self-healing feature to maintain train service during an ABSU failure. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150329130 | Rail Vehicle Signal Enforcement and Separation Control - A system for vehicle management includes a control signal interface subsystem and a vehicle-mounted subsystem. Each of these subsystems includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) communications component. The subsystems communicate with each other through the UWB components. The vehicle mounted subsystem interfaces with a braking system of the vehicle. The vehicle mounted subsystem determines the distance between it and the control signal interface subsystem based on the time-of-flight of at least one communication between the subsystems. The vehicle-mounted subsystem can cause the braking system of the vehicle to activate if the distance between the vehicle-mounted subsystem and the control signal interface subsystem is less than a threshold. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20160107662 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A POSITION OF A VEHICLE ON A GUIDEWAY - A method of determining a position of a vehicle on a guideway includes detecting a position of the vehicle relative to a first reflective positioning element along the guideway. The method also includes detecting a unique identification code of a transponder along the guideway, wherein the transponder is located a first known distance along the guideway from the first reflective positioning element. The method further includes determining the position of the vehicle, using a position determining system, based on a modulated reflection signal received from the transponder, a first non-modulated reflection signal received from the first reflective positioning element, and the first known distance. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160144876 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - The invention relates to devices and methods, which relate to the arrangement of a sensor on the shaft of a rail vehicle. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20180022367 | AXLE COUNTING METHOD AND AXLE COUNTING DEVICE | 01-25-2018 |
| 20130228656 | Control expansion for conventionally powered model railroads - A method and apparatus is shown to allow expanded control capability on model railroad layouts. Also included is the capability to introduce occupancy detection, transponding or data feedback detection and intelligent power management, and autoreversing methods in the same device. | 09-05-2013 |
| 246123000 | Automatic time recording | 3 |
| 20160096539 | WORK BLOCK ENCROACHMENT WARNING SYSTEM - The present disclosure generally relates to work block encroachment warning systems for providing protection for rail workers working in a mobile or fixed work block. For example, a vehicle (V)-aware unit installed on a moving rail vehicle and a work block limit encroachment unit mounted on a railroad may wirelessly communicate with each other to determine a distance between them. When a vehicle is moving toward an occupied work block, the distance may be used to identify potential hazards. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160176423 | RAILROAD CAR TRACKING SYSTEM | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160200331 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING RAIL VEHICLE EVENT INFORMATION | 07-14-2016 |
| 246124000 | Train annunciators or indicators | 6 |
| 20080237406 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN TRAINS - A communication system in trains comprises a control data communication device | 10-02-2008 |
| 20110127389 | Dual ultrasonic train detector - A train detector having dual ultrasonic sensors positioned adjacent to a rail for sensing the movement thereby of a train wheel and determining the direction and speed of the train for transmitting such information to nearby workers and signal devices and a method of train detecting are disclosed. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20130112815 | TRAIN-POSITION LOCATING DEVICE AND TRAIN-POSITION LOCATING METHOD - A train-position locating device includes an onboard control device incorporated in a train and a ground control device installed on a ground. The onboard control device decides a track on which a train is present based on position information and a result of a nearest track search, transmits identification information for identifying the own train and track information to the ground control device, and shifts to an onboard-oriented train control mode when receiving a response indicating “position is located” from the ground control device. The ground control device transmits a response indicating “tentative position is normal” to the onboard control device when another train located to be present on a track is not present on the tentative position, and transmits the response indicating “position is located” to the onboard control device when a change from a previous track to the changed track is correct. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20140209754 | TRAIN INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM - A train information announcement system of the present invention includes vehicle radio sets VRS | 07-31-2014 |
| 20160001803 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING TRAIN POSITION - An apparatus for detecting a position of a train, the apparatus includes a reader. The reader electrically irradiates beams along a plurality of directions toward a tag, combines signals received from the tag and obtains a beam direction information toward the tag, and then detects the position of the train using the beam direction information and a tag information of the tag. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160096537 | V-AWARE END OF TRAIN DEVICE - The present disclosure teaches inter-vehicle communications for avoiding rear collision of rail vehicles on a railroad. For example, a collision avoidance system may comprise an end-of-train device and a V-aware unit located on different vehicles. The two devices may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other, and then detect each other's presence by estimating a distance between them. Warnings may be issued to respective operators against a collision hazard when the distance drops to or below a pre-determined threshold. | 04-07-2016 |
| 246122000 | Miniature model | 1 |
| 20090050751 | APPARATUS FOR GENERATING POSITION SIGNALS FOR RAIL-BOUND VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR MAGNETIC LEVITATION VEHICLES - The invention relates to a device for producing position signals, which indicates the position of a tracked vehicle along a vehicle track. The device comprises a plurality of markers ( | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090194643 | Method and Apparatus for Detection of the Occupied or Free State of a Track Section - A method and a device for detecting the occupied or free status of a section of track by way of a track current circuit, into which a transmitted signal is introduced and from which at least one detection signal is extracted. A longer maximum possible track length is achieved in that the track current circuit is divided into part sections overlapping over half the length thereof. The transmitted signal is introduced in the middle of each part section into which a rail vehicle enters, detection signals being extracted at both ends of the part section or further transmitted over adjacent part sections to the track circuit ends and extracted there. Each part section is provided in the center and the ends thereof with transceiver devices. The central transceiver device functions as a transmitter and the end transceiver devices function as receivers. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090277998 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING RAILWAY VACANCY - 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. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100032529 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR TRACKING A RAILYARD INVENTORY - A system for tracking a rail yard inventory may be incorporated in a rail yard that has a plurality of tracks on which a plurality of railcars in a train are moved and arranged wherein each track is associated with a destination of the railcars on the track. A controller, responsive to signals from sensors, counts the number of railcars that enter and exit a track to determine if railcars have been added or removed from the train. The controller updates the railcar sequence in the train and a database having data relative to the location of each railcar in the rail yard and sequence in which railcars are linked on a track. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20110127388 | DEVICE FOR THE DETECTION OF THE OCCUPIED OR FREE STATE OF A TRACK SECTION - A device is configured to detect whether a track section is occupied or free. The device includes at least one transmitter on the vehicle side, and pairs of receivers on the track side, which are disposed at the ends of the track section, each having first and second receivers disposed at a distance in the track direction. The receivers receive signals from the transmitter as the vehicle passes. They are connected to an analysis unit. In order to ensure exact association between the track section ends and the current vehicle position, the invention provides that for a coupling range between the transmitter and the receiver, plus a maximum driving segment, which results from a minimum pulse duration of the receivers and a maximum segment speed, a response of the receivers during passage is preset such that the responses of the receivers of the receiver pair overlap in the event of increase of the coupling range due to an error. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110147535 | Track circuit - A track circuit for railway systems or the like includes a track segment of predetermined length electrically insulated from an adjacent track segment by an electric joint, which includes a conductor and forms two loops arranged in a longitudinal S-shape within the space between the rails. Units are provided that transmit and receive electric signals and that are operatively coupled with the electric joints. The transmitting/receiving units include a unit transmitting and receiving a high-frequency signal to detect a train on the a track segment, and a unit transmitting and receiving a low-frequency signal which provides the carrier encoded with information to be transmitted to a train-based receiving unit. Units are further provided that enable/disable the high-frequency signal transmitting/receiving units, and units that enable/disable the low-frequency signal transmitting/receiving units, which are alternately actuated. The electric joint includes an internal impedance disposed between the two loops. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110174934 | TRAIN DETECTOR AND TRAIN SECURITY DEVICE FOR DUAL GAUGE TRACK CIRCUIT - When a prior art track circuit for monitoring an electric signal supplied to a rail via a transmitter and a receiver connected to the rail for detecting a presence of a train using a phenomenon in which the reception level of a signal drops when axles of a train electrically short two rails together and sending a train control signal to the train is applied to a dual gauge track circuit in which two types of trains having different gauges share a rail, mutual induction between rails occurs which is a problem specific to the dual gauge track circuit, and the amount of attenuation of the train detection signal when a train is present on a track drops. The present invention prevents the mutual induction between rails and suppresses the drop of the amount of attenuation of the train detection signal when a train is present on a track by providing a train detector for recognizing two types of trains and detecting the presence of trains on the track via transmitters and receivers respectively connected to three rails, including filters for passing relevant signals and increasing the impedance of signals of other signal bands disposed on input stages of the respective receivers. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110309204 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE OCCUPIED STATE AND THE FREE STATE OF A TRACK SECTION AS WELL AS METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE - An apparatus for the detection of an occupied or free state of a track section, which is particularly simple and at the same time particularly resistant to interference influences, includes a transmitter for feeding a transmitted signal, encoded by modulation, into rails of the track section and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal which is brought about by transmission of the transmitted signal through the running rails of the track section. The apparatus compares the modulation of the received signal with the modulation of the transmitted signal. A method for operation of an apparatus for detection of the occupied and free state of a track section is also provided. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120056042 | TRACKING ROLLING STOCK IN A CONTROLLED AREA OF A RAILWAY SYSTEM - A system for monitoring the location of rolling stock within a controlled area of a railway system is provided. The system includes a plurality of axle counters within the controlled area, wherein the axle counts are associated with a global sequence identifier. A central controller processes the axle counts and associated global sequence identifier in conjunction with a list of rolling stock entering the controlled area to provide a real time map of the location of each piece of rolling stock within the controlled area. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120153089 | POSITION FINDING SYSTEM - Position finding system having a sensor unit and a transmitter unit. The sensor unit comprises a first RFID transponder reader unit, a first inductive detector unit, and an analysis unit connected to the RFID transponder reader unit and the inductive detector unit; the transmitter unit comprises an RFID transponder and a metallic material. The sensor unit is movable relative to the transmitter unit. The RFID transponder reader unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a first position value, and the inductive detector unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a second position value. The analysis unit is configured to determine, from the data acquired from the transmitter unit, an absolute position of the sensor unit from the first and second position values. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120181390 | VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM - A vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on-track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on-track vehicles. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120241566 | Detector for cold movement detection of a railway vehicle, and method for its operation - An inventive detector detects movement of a railway vehicle in a powerless time interval. At its beginning, indicator items or first magnetic antagonists of detection cells are lifted by actuators to a switching device, which provides at least one holding section or second magnetic antagonist for a part of the indicator items which then stick to or near to the switching device by magnetic force. The switching device, though, is movably mounted and coupled to the railway vehicle's movement, so the holding section moves relative the detection cells if the railway vehicle moves. As a result, detection cells from which the holding section moves away experience a drop of the indicator item due to gravity. By means of sensors, such a drop is detected at the end of the time interval and used for cold movement indication. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120256057 | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING SIGNALS AND MULTIPLE TRAINS TRAVELING ON THE SAME TRACK - An electrical device not only controls train signals as trains advance, but also alters the voltage in the tracks leading up to the signals so that the trains will actually stop at a red signal, slow at an amber aspect and continue on at full speed when the signal is showing green. The electrical device of the present invention can change the “block signal” from “green” to “red”, thereby signaling the engineer behind the train to come to a stop. In addition, the electrical device can simultaneously change the voltage in the tracks to stop the approaching train at the red signal. Only when the forward train has cleared will the approaching train get a clear signal and voltage to resume its forward progress. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120273624 | RAIL SYSTEM FOR A POWERED PALLET CONVEYOR - A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n≧2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m≧2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching. The switch comprises a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points A second actuator selectively positions [m(n−1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120325979 | TRAIN SENSOR UNIT FOR SENSING RADIO COMMUNICATION BASED TRAIN, TRAIN POSITION SENSING SYSTEM, AND TRAIN POSITION SENSING METHOD OF THE SYSTEM - Provided is a train sensor unit for sensing a radio communication based train to transmit train sensing information to a control unit, which includes a sensor unit, a controller unit, and a communication unit. The sensor unit obtains environmental information about an environment in which the train travels. The controller unit determines whether the train is present, based on the obtained environmental information. The communication unit wirelessly transmits the train sensing information to the control unit if the train is present. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130015296 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINATION OF THE TRACK OCCUPANCY STATE OF A TRACK CIRCUIT ON A RAIWAY LINE VIA SEQUENTIAL CODINGAANM Maurizio; MorelliAACI GenovaAACO ITAAGP Maurizio; Morelli Genova ITAANM Trentini; DanieleAACI GenovaAACO ITAAGP Trentini; Daniele Genova IT - An apparatus for determining the state of occupation of a track circuit on a railway line provided with a plurality of track circuits adjacent to one another, said circuit comprising a pair of rails (R) formed by parallel metal sectional elements between which it is possible to apply a voltage, each track circuit being separated from the adjacent stretch via electrically insulating joints (G). Said apparatus comprises a transmission block ( | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130048795 | Light Rail Vehicle Monitoring and Stop Bar Overrun System - A satellite positioning location based control and monitoring system for light rail transit systems which enables transit personnel to track vehicle positions, progress and non-vital signals as light rail vehicles travel through their routes while eliminating the capital and maintenance costs associated with embedded light rail transit monitoring systems. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130062474 | TRAIN DETECTION - Occupancy of a railroad track detection zone by one or more trains is determined using sensor devices located at gateways into and out of the track detection zone. Each sensor device has a sensing range that includes a portion of the railroad track in the detection zone and the sensor device generates data used to uniquely identify each train passing through a gateway and thus the sensing range of one or more sensor devices. Data from the detection zone's sensor device array is collected and evaluated to monitor or track the status of any detected trains and the occupancy of the zone. In some embodiments, the sensor devices utilize anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor elements whose analog waveform data is the basis of magnetic flux peak detection and mapping to generate unique train identification signature data that is transmitted to and evaluated by a detection zone processor, which in some cases can control crossing signals and/or other control apparatus related to the railroad track detection zone. The unique train identification signature data can include digitized amplitude peaks and their sequence for each train, based on that train's generated analog waveform data. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130146719 | FREQUENCY CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAILWAY WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A frequency control apparatus and method for railway wireless communication are provided. The frequency control apparatus includes a variable frequency processor and a fixed frequency processor. The variable frequency processor selects an available variable frequency and wirelessly receives non-safety-related train running information from a base station at the selected variable frequency. The fixed frequency processor wirelessly receives safety-related train running information at a predetermined fixed frequency. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130193276 | SYSTEM FOR INDUCTIVE POWER TRANSFER AND ROBUST POSITION SENSING - Linear synchronous motors (LSM) propel rail vehicles with greater efficiency and less environmental impact than diesel locomotives. LSM engines may require a position signal to commutate the windings of the ISM. This disclosure describes systems and methods for accurate determination of vehicle position based on position information derived from inductive power received and acceleration of the vehicle. Another aspect of the systems/methods is to estimate vehicle position with GPS and/or RFID readings of tags external to the vehicle. These estimates may be used to identify faults in vehicle position measurement, update the determined vehicle position, and correct acceleration estimates. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130240677 | AUTOMATIC END-OF-TRAIN DETECTION SYSTEM - An automatic end-of-train detection system that can inform the train driver and the operations control center that the length of the train is safe and secure, without human intervention is provided. The system comprises a first module installed on the final railcar of the train comprising a transmitter that is activated when the condition indicating the pass-through movement of the last railcar is present and that continues to transmit while the pass-through movement condition remains present; and a second module installed on at least one fixed station placed close to the track, comprising a receiver that receives the signal transmitted by the transmitter of the first module and sends a message indicating the pass-through movement of the final railcar to the railway train driver. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130248658 | TRAIN PROTECTION DEVICE AND TRAIN POSITION DECISION METHOD - A train protection device, which decides a position of an own train on track by using GPS satellites, includes: a GPS reception unit; a tachogenerator unit; a track-information storage unit; and a position decision unit. The position decision unit decides the position of the own train based on the GPS signal, the reception state value, the running distance from the reference position, the current speed, and the information of a track on which the own train runs. When the reception state value is equal to or larger than a threshold, the position decision unit decides a position as a current train position by adding, with respect to a forward direction of the track on which the own train runs, a correction value. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130264430 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATION OF A RAILWAY BRANCH LINE - A method and an apparatus for operation of a railway branch line, which has line devices, in particular points, signals, axle counters, beacons and/or approach signaling devices, for specific functions. At least one first line device can be operated in an active mode and in a power-saving mode. In order to simplify the switching from the power-saving mode to the active mode, the active mode of the first line device is activated by a second line device when a rail vehicle moves over the second line device, possibly after a predetermined delay time has elapsed. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130299645 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20140014783 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE OCCUPIED OR AVAILABLE STATUS OF A TRACK SEGMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE - A device for detecting an occupied or available status of a track segment has a transmitter for feeding in a transmitted signal into the travel rails of the track segment and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal generated by transmitting the transmitted signal via the travel rails of the track segment. In order to simplify commissioning, the device is implemented for varying the frequency of the transmitted signal, for determining a resonant frequency of the transmitted signal, and for adjusting the frequency of the transmitted signal to the determined resonant frequency. A method for operating the device for detecting the occupied or available status of a rail segment is further discussed. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140042278 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A SWITCHING YARD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR A SWITCHING YARD - A particularly efficient method for operating a switching yard includes determining a position of a locomotive on an inbound track of the switching yard, determining a position of a front end of a unit to be divided facing a hump of the switching yard relative to a unit to be divided to be pushed by the locomotive from the inbound track to the hump, determining a distance between the locomotive and the front end of the unit to be divided on the basis of the determined positions, and comparing the determined distance to a reference value for the length of the unit to be divided. A control device for a switching yard is also provided. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140054424 | TRAIN SIGNALING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DISTANCE-TO-GO OF A TRAIN - A train signaling system, including a traffic signaling chain terminus set up unit configured to set a terminus location of a train running on the track and transmit a wireless traffic signal, a plurality of traffic signaling chain relay units installed along the track and configured to forward the wireless traffic signal and allow the wireless traffic signal to form a traffic signaling chain comprising distance-to-go information of the train, and a traffic signaling chain detection unit configured to allow the train to achieve the receipt of the information on the traffic signaling chain and calculate the distance-to-go of the train. A method for detecting distance-to-go of a train is also provided. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140209753 | GROUND DEVICE FOR TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM - A ground device 1 transmits train control information to an on-board device mounted on a train. The ground device 1 receives a train detection signal (TD signal) from a train with an ATC/TD on-board device mounted thereon through loop coils | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140263857 | TRAIN DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Techniques for improving safety at railroad track crossings are described. Example embodiments provide a train detection and collision avoidance system configured to detect potential collisions between vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, motorcycles) and trains. The system detects potential collisions based on location information obtained by tracking modules installed in or carried by the trains and vehicles. When a potential collision between a vehicle and a train is detected, the train detection system alerts an operator of the vehicle and/or the train, so that the operator can take steps to avoid the collision. The operator may be alerted in various ways, including by audio, visual, or tactile output. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140291454 | Light Rail Vehicle Monitoring and Stop Bar Overrun System - A satellite positioning location based control and monitoring system for light rail transit systems which enables transit personnel to track vehicle positions, progress and non-vital signals as light rail vehicles travel through their routes while eliminating the capital and maintenance costs associated with embedded light rail transit monitoring systems. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140319285 | VARIABLE FREQUENCY TRAIN DETECTION - A method and device capable of reliable and accurate train prediction determinations that account for, and overcome the problems associated with, changing ballast conditions. The method and device will detect the presence of a train in an approach area based on a rail characteristic measured in relation to a first measurement frequency transmitted along the rails. If there is a condition such as a ballast condition that may affect the rail characteristic, the method and device will detect the distance and speed of the train based on a rail characteristic measured in relation to a second measurement frequency transmitted along the rails. Otherwise, the distance and speed of the train will be determined based on the rail characteristic measured in relation to the first measurement frequency. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140319286 | TRAIN DIRECTION DETECTION VIA TRACK CIRCUITS - Track circuits and constant warning time devices that can make train direction determinations using multi-frequency track impedance measurements and combinations of frequency tuned shunts. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140326835 | VEHICLE POSITION DETERMINING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A position determining system for a vehicle on a guideway which includes an on-board controller configured to determine a position of the vehicle on the guideway. The position determining system further includes a transmitter/detector array configured to emit an interrogation signal and to receive reflection signals based on the emitted interrogation signal. The transmitter/detector array includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the second antenna spaced from the first antenna in a direction of travel of the vehicle. The position determining system further includes a transponder identification database configured to store transponder information. The on-board controller is configured to determine the position of the vehicle along the guideway based on a modulated reflection signal received by the transmitter/detector array and a first non-modulated reflection signal received by the transmitter/detector array. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20150008294 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING SPEED AND POSITION OF A VEHICLE MOVING ALONG A GUIDANCE TRACK, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT CORRESPONDING THERETO - A device is provided for measuring speed and/or position of a vehicle moving along a guidance track, by day and by night, and doing so whatever the climatic conditions. Such a device includes at least one image capture apparatus delivering a sequence of digital images of an environment of the vehicle; an apparatus that determines the apparent motion of at least one visual index, called a primitive, between two images delivered by the image capture apparatus, so as to determine the apparent motion of said at least one visual index; and an apparatus that estimates speed and/or the position of the vehicle on the basis of the apparent motion of the at least one visual index. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150021444 | INTEGRATED TIME-STAMPED EVENT RECORDER - An event recorder includes an outer case, and a first memory module including a first amount of data storage capacity contained within the outer case. The first memory module is configured to receive and store multiple types of data including at least two of: video data; audio data; locomotive data indicative of one or more locomotive operating parameters, locomotive control signals, and locomotive performance characteristics; engine operating parameter data; exhaust characteristics data; electrical data; and positive train control data. A controller contained within the outer case may be configured to associate a universal time stamp with each of the multiple types of data stored in the first memory module. An inner, crash-hardened case may be contained within the outer case, containing a second memory module including a second amount of data storage capacity that is smaller than the first amount. The controller may be further configured to periodically transfer a portion of the time-stamped data stored in the first memory module to the second memory module. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150053828 | DETERMINING POSITIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CARS IN A CONSIST - A method is disclosed for determining the positional relationship between a locomotive in a consist and a tender car in the consist. The method may include transmitting a signal from a locomotive controller to the tender car. The signal may be processed at the tender car in a manner uniquely indicative of one end of the tender car. A locomotive controller associated with the locomotive may receive an indication of an effect of the signal processing, and use the indication to establish the positional relationship between the locomotive and the one end of the tender car. The locomotive controller associated with the locomotive may transmit a signal indicative of fuel requirements and including the positional information to a controller associated with the tender car. The tender car controller may transfer fuel from the one end of the tender car to the locomotive. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150060608 | Rail Vehicle Signal Enforcement and Separation Control - A system for vehicle management includes a control signal interface subsystem and a vehicle-mounted subsystem. Each of these subsystems includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) communications component. The subsystems communicate with each other through the UWB components. The vehicle mounted subsystem interfaces with a braking system of the vehicle. The vehicle mounted subsystem determines the distance between it and the control signal interface subsystem based on the time-of-flight of at least one communication between the subsystems. The vehicle-mounted subsystem can cause the braking system of the vehicle to activate if the distance between the vehicle-mounted subsystem and the control signal interface subsystem is less than a threshold. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150102177 | USING WAYSIDE SIGNALS TO OPTIMIZE TRAIN DRIVING UNDER AN OVERARCHING RAILWAY NETWORK SAFETY SYSTEM - Disclosed embodiments provide a system and methodologies that provide an optimized train driving strategy using wayside signaling while conforming to the requirements of a wayside track safety system, e.g., the “Automatic Train Protection” (ATP) System. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150291193 | TRAIN SAFETY SYSTEM - A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293139 | Method for Controlling the Operation of a Positioning System of a Train - The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a positioning system ( | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150307119 | Method & apparatus for an auxiliary train control system - A method and an apparatus for a train control installation are disclosed, and are based on the absolute permissive block concept. The train control installation employs a plurality of generic absolute block signal units (ABSU), wherein each signal unit includes means for detecting the crossing of a train passed a discrete point, means for exchanging data with adjacent ABSUs, means for generating and communicating a movement authority limit to a train, means for generating and displaying a signal indication, and means for enforcing a stop aspect. The train control installation can be used in conjunction with a communication based train control (CBTC) system to provide a degraded mode of operation without impacting the availability and the reliability of the CBTC system. Further, the train control installation has a self-healing feature to maintain train service during an ABSU failure. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150329130 | Rail Vehicle Signal Enforcement and Separation Control - A system for vehicle management includes a control signal interface subsystem and a vehicle-mounted subsystem. Each of these subsystems includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) communications component. The subsystems communicate with each other through the UWB components. The vehicle mounted subsystem interfaces with a braking system of the vehicle. The vehicle mounted subsystem determines the distance between it and the control signal interface subsystem based on the time-of-flight of at least one communication between the subsystems. The vehicle-mounted subsystem can cause the braking system of the vehicle to activate if the distance between the vehicle-mounted subsystem and the control signal interface subsystem is less than a threshold. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20160107662 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A POSITION OF A VEHICLE ON A GUIDEWAY - A method of determining a position of a vehicle on a guideway includes detecting a position of the vehicle relative to a first reflective positioning element along the guideway. The method also includes detecting a unique identification code of a transponder along the guideway, wherein the transponder is located a first known distance along the guideway from the first reflective positioning element. The method further includes determining the position of the vehicle, using a position determining system, based on a modulated reflection signal received from the transponder, a first non-modulated reflection signal received from the first reflective positioning element, and the first known distance. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160144876 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A RAIL VEHICLE - The invention relates to devices and methods, which relate to the arrangement of a sensor on the shaft of a rail vehicle. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20180022367 | AXLE COUNTING METHOD AND AXLE COUNTING DEVICE | 01-25-2018 |
| 20130228656 | Control expansion for conventionally powered model railroads - A method and apparatus is shown to allow expanded control capability on model railroad layouts. Also included is the capability to introduce occupancy detection, transponding or data feedback detection and intelligent power management, and autoreversing methods in the same device. | 09-05-2013 |
