Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080296441 | System and method for broken rail and train detection - A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers. | 12-04-2008 |
20090079560 | REMOTELY MONITORING RAILROAD EQUIPMENT USING NETWORK PROTOCOLS - Remote monitoring and diagnosis of railroad devices using data structures defined for each of the railroad devices. The railroad devices are configured to populate the data structures with status data. The railroad devices transmit the status data for analysis using a network protocol. The analysis of the data results in reduced maintenance. | 03-26-2009 |
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 |
20100258682 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING WAYSIDE SIGNAL DEVICE WITH VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - In a transportation system (rail system or otherwise), a wayside device potentially operates in a plurality of operational modes. The wayside device is outfitted with an interface system for interfacing the wayside signal device with a vehicle control system. The interface system determines the present operational mode of the wayside device and independently communicates information relating to the determined present operational mode to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may control the vehicle based on the information relating to the determined present operational mode. The interface system includes functionality for validating the determined present operational mode prior to transmission of the information to the vehicle control system, to ensure that the vehicle control system is provided with correct and/or current information. The wayside device may be a wayside signal device whose operational modes (as determined by the interface system) are signal aspects conveyed to a vehicle. | 10-14-2010 |
20140207317 | ROUTE EXAMINING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes an application device, a control unit, a detection unit, an identification unit, and a secondary analysis module. The application device is configured to be at least one of conductively or inductively coupled with a route. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current to inject an examination signal into the route via the application device. The detection unit is configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the route. The identification unit is configured to examine the one or more electrical characteristics of the route to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged. The secondary analysis module is configured to perform a secondary analysis of the potentially damaged section of the route to at least one of confirm that damage has occurred, identify a type of damage, or assess a level of damage. | 07-24-2014 |
20140365102 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAINTAINING INTERLOCKINGS OF TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS - A system includes a detection module, a control module, an input module, and a determination module. The detection module is configured to obtain information from one or more detectors corresponding to a condition of a transportation network. The control module is configured to issue control messages using the information obtained. The input module is configured to receive a request for the control module to enter a test mode corresponding to an alteration of at least one of an input or an output of the control module from an operational mode. The determination module is configured to determine if an authorization condition corresponding to a physical state of one or more functional activity module of the transportation network is satisfied. The control module is transferred to the test mode if the authorization condition is satisfied and maintained in the operational mode if the authorization condition is not satisfied. | 12-11-2014 |
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 |
20150053827 | ROUTE EXAMINING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A route examining system includes first and second application devices, a control unit, first and second detection units, and an identification unit. The first and second application devices are disposed onboard a vehicle traveling along a route having conductive tracks. The control unit controls injection of a first examination signal into the conductive tracks via the first application device and injection of a second examination signal into the conductive tracks via the second application device. The first and second detection units monitor electrical characteristics of the route in response to the first and second examination signals being injected into the conductive tracks. The identification unit examines the electrical characteristics of the conductive tracks in order to determine whether a section of the route is potentially damaged based on the electrical characteristics. | 02-26-2015 |