| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 246125000 | ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC HIGHWAY SIGNALS, MINE DOORS, AND GATES | 24 |
| 20090184214 | System and Method for Train Operation Approaching Grade Crossings - A system and method that enables trains to rapidly accelerate through grade crossings from station stops or civil speed restrictions is disclosed. In some embodiments, equipped trains and grade-crossing controllers communicate wirelessly to address operational limitations pertaining to the grade crossings. In conjunction with the train's equipment, conventional crossing controllers are augmented with a communications capability and logic to accept commands to operate in a “Prediction” mode or a “Motion-Sensing” mode. The Prediction mode is the default operating mode for conventional constant-warning grade-crossing prediction controllers. The Motion-Sensing mode is an operating mode whereby the crossing is actuated as soon as an approach circuit detects train motion. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20110309205 | FOREIGN TRACK CURRENT SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - There is provided a track current suppression device. An exemplary device includes an input coupled between rails of a railway track and configured to receive an input voltage corresponding to a track current. The exemplary device also includes an amplifier configured to receive the input voltage and generate a cancellation current. The exemplary device also includes an output coupled between the rails of the railway track and configured to deliver the cancellation current to the rails with reversed polarity compared to the track current. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120037761 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RAILWAY SAFETY SYSTEMS - A method and an apparatus control railway safety systems, in particular train routing systems and railway crossing systems. In order to simplify the railway line infrastructure while increasing the safety level at the same time, it is provided that the vehicle emits an RFID—radio frequency identification—signal which contains vehicle data and is read and evaluated by a device on the railway line in order to generate control input variables. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120248261 | COMMUNICATIONS BASED CROSSING CONTROL FOR LOCOMOTIVE-CENTRIC SYSTEMS - A train equipped with an onboard system for determining its position and a track database for determining the positions of upcoming grade crossings sends activate after expiration messages to control wayside warning systems at the crossings to achieve a constant warning time while maintaining a safety margin that ensures the train can be stopped if the wayside systems do not respond correctly to the activate after expiration messages. The system may be used in place of existing track-based crossing warning system control circuits. Communications between the train may be radio-based, and may be direct between the train and wayside devices or may be routed through a central station, which may act as a relay or maintain a database. The train may control multiple crossings at one time, thereby eliminating the need for downstream adjacent crossing control. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120286103 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE DETECTION AT ISLAND CROSSINGS - A method for sensing objects within a rail grade crossing island is described. The method includes transmitting a radar signal into the island from each of a plurality of radar devices such that each portion of the island is monitored by at least two of the radar devices, detecting if an object is in the island based on received signals corresponding to the transmissions associated with at least one of the radar devices, and operating a gate control device associated with the rail grade crossing based on the detections. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20130015297 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR A CROSSING EQUIPMENT CONTROLLER - Various methods and systems are provided for a crossing equipment controller. In one embodiment, a method comprises prior to a vehicle entering a diverging zone, calculating a travel time until the vehicle at a determined position would reach a crossing based on one or more vehicle conditions, and in response to the vehicle entering the diverging zone, updating the travel time with a time-based countdown. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130270395 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR CROSSING PREDICTION - Various methods and systems are provided for predicting crossing times. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a vehicle position of a vehicle from sensed data, filtering the vehicle position, determining vehicle velocity based on the filtered vehicle position, filtering the vehicle velocity to a greater extent than vehicle position is filtered, at least above a threshold frequency, and determining a time-to-crossing based on the filtered vehicle position and filtered velocity. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20140034785 | GATE MONITORING SYSTEM - A monitoring system and method is provided for monitoring the lighting and the gate arm position at a railroad crossing. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140166820 | CROSSING PROXIMITY AND TRAIN-ON-APPROACH NOTIFICATION SYSTEM - A system includes a base station associated with a railroad crossing having a unique identifier and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification. The system further includes a receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification from the base station and to provide at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140263858 | WIRELESS AND/OR WIRED FREQUENCY PROGRAMMABLE TERMINATION SHUNTS - A programmable frequency termination shunt suitable to terminate a portion of a railroad track circuit. The programmable frequency termination shunt includes a multi-frequency shunt circuit having a plurality of selectable shunt frequencies and a processor coupled to the multi-frequency shunt circuit. The processor is adapted to set the termination frequency of the shunt by selecting one of the shunt frequencies of the multi-frequency shunt circuit. The shunt is powered by signals transmitted along the rails of the railroad track and can be programmed in response to signals from a rail-based communication link or a wireless communication link. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140312178 | USER CONFIGURABLE HORIZONTAL BRAKE FEATURE FOR RAILROAD CROSSING GATES - A user configurable horizontal brake feature for a railroad crossing gate. The braking feature will maintain lowered crossing gate arms in the horizontal position when a train is approaching and until it is the proper time to raise the gate arms (e.g., after the passing of the approaching train). | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140346284 | Systems and Methods for Management of Crossings Near Stations - A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150034773 | TRAIN CROSSING SAFETY SYSTEM - Systems and/or methods for reducing problems associated with the train/railroad systems are provided. In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method is provided wherein a sensor monitors a particular area (e.g. a train/railroad crossing, a tunnel entrance or exit, etc.) and transmits data (e.g. an image and/or video) to a train as it approaches the monitored area (e.g. when it is within a predetermined distance of the monitored area). In certain example embodiments, the sensor may be enclosed within a housing to prevent damage thereto. A display within the train may indicate whether or not there is a problem at the particular monitored area (e.g. a blockage at a crossing, a cave-in at a tunnel, etc.). Multiple images corresponding to multiple areas may be displayed, and may be ordered, for example, to the train. The conductor of the train may take appropriate action to avoid accidents and/or to reduce the impact of inevitable accidents (e.g., by stopping the train or reducing speed). | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150367871 | Method and device for outputting an acoustic warning signal of a rail vehicle and warning system for a rail vehicle - A method for outputting a trigger signal for an acoustic warning signal of a rail vehicle, includes reading in a piece of signal information detected by an image sensor of the rail vehicle, comparing the piece of signal information to at least one stored piece of reference signal information to classify the piece of signal information as a warning sign requiring an output of an acoustic warning signal, and providing a trigger signal to an output unit of the rail vehicle for outputting an acoustic warning signal. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160189552 | RAILROAD CROSSING AND ADJACENT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION VEHICULAR TRAFFIC CONTROL PREEMPTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A traffic control preemption system monitors an operating state of a railroad crossing, without requiring an interface with railroad crossing equipment, and communicates information to a traffic controller of an adjacent signalized roadway intersection to improve vehicular traffic flow at the crossing. The traffic control preemption system is configured to make real time health assessments of preemption system functionality and provide a degree of redundancy and failsafe operation to the traffic control system. | 06-30-2016 |
| 246126000 | Car-actuated controller | 8 |
| 20110133038 | RAILWAY SENSOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An approach annunciator for a railway includes at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle traveling along the railway, a control device adapted to receive a first message from the sensor and to create a second message, and a transmitting module adapted to send the second message created by the control device. The control device is adapted to operate the transmitting module in one of a plurality of modes including an energy saving mode and an operation mode. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110226909 | CROSSING PREDICTOR WITH AUTHORIZED TRACK SPEED INPUT - A method and apparatus for controlling a grade crossing warning system employs a track occupancy circuit or other device to detect the presence of a train in the approach to a grade crossing and an indirect indication of a maximum authorized speed of the train in order to determine an amount of time to delay activation of the grade crossing warning system after the train has been detected. The indirect indication is preferably encoded onto a signal associated with the track occupancy circuit, preferably using a frequency shift technique. The indirect indication may be supplied by a wayside signal device. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20120138752 | RAIL LINE SENSING AND SAFETY SYSTEM - A rail line sensing and safety system adapted to reliably sense the presence, and optionally the direction and speed, of vehicles traveling on a rail line, and when a vehicle is sensed, to indicate whether a safety device, such as crossing gates, lights, bells, etc., should be activated. The system comprises at least one detection module typically mounted on a rail, at least one remote module typically located near a detection module, and at least one control module typically located near a safety device. In operation, a detection module senses a vehicle traveling on a rail line and sends signals to a remote module. The remote module then processes signals received from the detection module and transmits signals to the control module. The control module then directs, either directly or indirectly as a backup or supplement to an existing sensing and safety system, whether a safety device should be activated. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20130248659 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EARLY TRAIN DETECTION - A train detection security system and method include sensor units arranged for being fixed to at least one rail. The sensor units are arranged for detecting a first signal induced by a moving train. Each sensor unit is divided in at least a first chamber and a second chamber, where the first and second chambers are separated by an electromagnetic shield. The first chamber includes a piezoelectric element fixed to an outer wall of said first chamber, and an amplifier. A warning signal is generated in a control system based on the approaching train. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20140191090 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A RAILWAY SAFETY SYSTEM, AND RAILWAY SAFETY SYSTEM - A method operates a railway safety system having at least one trackside device while taking into account a measured velocity value recorded when the rail vehicle drives into a switch-on section of the railway safety system. In order to minimize the closing times for a level crossing by such a method, the measured velocity value is used as the basis for checking whether a correction time for forwarding a signal from the one trackside device to an associated railway safety assembly is to be set according to the measured velocity value when the rail vehicle drives into the switch-on section. Thereafter, a set correction time is checked to determine if the set correction time should remain effective according to at least one further influencing variable of the rail vehicle that determines the travel time. A railway safety system for carrying out the method is also provided. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140367526 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING WARNINGS AT VEHICLE CROSSINGS - A system includes a timing determination module configured to be disposed onboard an approaching vehicle system during travel of the approaching vehicle system along a first route toward a crossing between the first route and a second route. The timing determination module is configured to determine one or more arrival times of the approaching vehicle system to reach the crossing and to repeatedly communicate notification messages having the one or more arrival times to a remote crossing system that is configured to activate one or more warning devices disposed at or near the crossing to notify other vehicles on the second route that the approaching vehicle system is approaching the crossing along the first route. The timing determination module is configured to determine the one or more arrival times at different respective locations along the first route as the approaching vehicle system travels toward the crossing. | 12-18-2014 |
| 246127000 | Gates and doors | 2 |
| 20140346285 | RAIL LINE SENSING AND SAFETY SYSTEM - A rail line sensing and safety system adapted to reliably sense the presence, and optionally the direction and speed, of vehicles traveling on a rail line, and when a vehicle is sensed, to indicate whether a safety device, such as crossing gates, lights, bells, etc., should be activated. The system comprises at least one detection module typically mounted on a rail, at least one remote module typically located near a detection module, and at least one control module typically located near a safety device. In operation, a detection module senses a vehicle traveling on a rail line and sends signals to a remote module. The remote module then processes signals received from the detection module and transmits signals to the control module. The control module then directs, either directly or indirectly as a backup or supplement to an existing sensing and safety system, whether a safety device should be activated. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20160059874 | SIGNALING SYSTEM AND DOOR CONTROL METHOD - A signaling system includes an on-board device, a station interface device and a platform screen door. The on-board device is provided in a moving vehicle. The station interface device is provided in a station. The platform screen door is provided in the station and controlled by the station interface device. When the moving vehicle has stopped at the station, the on-board device outputs a door open permission command to instruct release of a lock state. The station interface device releases the lock state of the platform screen door in response to the door open permission command. After the lock state is released, the on-board device outputs a door open command to instruct the opening of the platform screen door. The station interface device opens the platform screen door in response to the door open command. The on-board device opens doors of the moving vehicle. | 03-03-2016 |
| 246130000 | Normally closed track circuit | 1 |
| 20130341468 | 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. | 12-26-2013 |
