Abstract: A switch machine that includes a first relay having first normally open contacts and first normally closed contacts provided in the normal motor connection path and a second relay having second normally open contacts and second normally closed contacts provided in the reverse motor connection path. The normally open and closed contacts of each relay are associated in pairs and the first relays are structured such that each normally closed contact and the corresponding normally open contact cannot be simultaneously closed. Also, a method of protecting a motor of a switch machine that includes integrating a current being drawn by the motor and opening a motor circuit that includes the motor if the integrated current exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method provides sleep and wake-up modes for railway track circuit units. An intermediate track circuit unit communicates in a first direction to a first unit and in a different second direction to a different second unit. A plurality of wireless messages are employed between a train and a plurality of wayside units operatively associated with some of the track circuit units. Included with the wireless messages are a first identifier of a corresponding one of the track circuit units and a second identifier of a direction of travel of the train. One of the wireless messages is received at one of the wayside units corresponding to the intermediate unit based upon the first identifier. A signal is responsively output based upon the second identifier from the intermediate unit in the first direction to the first unit or in the different second direction to the different second unit.

Abstract: An apparatus provides hot standby operation with normal and standby processors, each of which includes vital inputs electrically interconnected with the vital inputs of the other processor, vital outputs, and an application routine inputting the vital inputs and outputting the vital outputs. Communication ports communicate with communication ports of the other processor. A health routine provides a health status after communication is established with the other processor. A vital relay includes an input controlled by a vital output and an output to a vital input of the other processor. A synchronization routine provides a synchronization status through the communication ports. The application routine outputs the vital outputs when the synchronization status is set. The standby processor includes a reset routine, which resets the standby processor when the health status of that processor is not provided. A vital “OR” circuit outputs from the vital outputs of the normal and standby processors.

Abstract: A geographic information system (GIS) displays geographic roadway data, geographic track data and geographic train position data. The GIS includes a GIS database having static roadway and track data. A computer aided dispatching (CAD) system includes a task to determine an occupied track section. A web server includes a first routine determining geographic starting and ending positions of the track section, a second routine displaying geographic information regarding the static roadway and track data, and a third routine determining geographic information regarding the occupied track section from the geographic starting and ending positions of the track section and from the GIS database. A client system communicates with the web server to receive and display the geographic information regarding the static roadway and track data, and to receive and display the geographic information regarding the occupied track section with the geographic information regarding the static roadway and track data.

Abstract: A method generates optimized traffic movement plans. A plan monitor determines a first planning boundary for traffic based upon traffic conditions of a region. A plan generator employs the first planning boundary and repetitively generates first traffic movement plans for the traffic. The plan generator selects one of the first traffic movement plans as a first optimized traffic movement plan, and outputs the same for controlling traffic movement. The plan monitor determines current traffic conditions of the region for a planning window, and updates the first planning boundary to provide a second planning boundary for the traffic based upon the current traffic conditions. The plan generator employs the second planning boundary and repetitively generates second traffic movement plans for the traffic, selects one of the first and second traffic movement plans as a second optimized traffic movement plan, and outputs the same for controlling traffic movement.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate comprising a crossing gate arm having a counterweight support structure and one or more counterweights supported by the counterweight support structure. The counterweight support structure includes a gear rack provided along a first portion of the crossing gate arm and a pinion gear operatively coupled to and selectively movable along the gear rack.

Abstract: A tie system having at least one tie with a generally hollow, unitary body. The tie body is preferably made from a metal such as, but not limited to, steel. The tie is created as a unitary body and may be cast in its final form, however, in a preferred embodiment, the body is created as a tube which is then deformed into the final shape. Once the tube has the desired shape, a plurality of openings are cut therein. Components of the switch machine are then disposed within the tie body.

Abstract: A spread rod tie assembly having a body with a top surface that has at least two levels is provided. That is, the tie body upper surface preferably includes two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at each end of the tie body. The platforms are at a first height and are structured to support a pair of fixed rails. The tie body upper surface also has a recessed, generally flat spread rod bed disposed at a medial portion of the tie body between the rail platforms. The spread rod bed is at a second height that is below the first height. In this configuration, the tie body maintains the rails at the required height above the ballast while allowing for a device, such as, but not limited to, a spread rod to be disposed above the tie body between the rails.

Abstract: An improved LED signaling device employing a number of LEDs arranged in a specific pattern. At least some of the LEDs are received in a corresponding reflective cavity with an associated output angle. The LED signaling device also employs first and second lenses. The first lens collects the light emitted by the LEDs and disperses the light such that the second lens is flooded. The second lens collects the light dispersed by the first lens and collimates the light. The type of LEDs used, their specific pattern, the specific output angles of their corresponding reflective cavities, and the combination of the first and second lenses insure that the LED signaling device meets or exceeds the minimum luminous output intensity requirements and uniformity requirements.

Abstract: A railroad signaling method includes measuring a track current on a first track section, measuring a local voltage on the railroad line wires, determining whether a magnitude of the track current meets or exceeds a threshold value independent of the local voltage, and determining whether the track current and the local voltage are nominally in phase with one another in a manner that is independent of the track current measuring step. A first signal is provided only if the magnitude is determined to meet or exceed the threshold and the track current and local voltage are determined to be nominally in phase. The first signal is an indication that a train is not present in the track section, that the track section does not have a broken rail, and that the insulated joints that bound the track section do not include a fault condition. An associated relay arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: A system determines the position of a vehicle moving responsive to an inverter having a 360 degree electrical cycle. The system includes a guideway comprising a linear synchronous motor excited by the inverter, a MAGLEV adapted to move with respect to the guideway and the linear synchronous motor, and a reflective pattern disposed along the guideway. A laser light source is coupled to the MAGLEV and directs light toward the pattern. A light sensor is coupled to the MAGLEV and senses the light from the light source which is reflected from the pattern. The light sensor outputs a plurality of pulses corresponding to movement of the MAGLEV with respect to the pattern. A modulator, radio transmitter, radio receiver, demodulator and wayside processor cooperate with the light sensor. The processor determines the position of the MAGLEV by accumulating the pulses. The position corresponds to the 360 degree electrical cycle.

Abstract: A switching assembly includes a pair of hollow ties, a pair of supports, and a linkage. The linkage extends generally through the hollow ties, whereby the cribs are generally free of linkage components, and the ballast in the cribs can be compacted with known automated machinery. The linkage includes a number of lugs and a number of rods, with the rods each being formed from standard bar stock and threaded, and with the linkage configuration avoiding the need to custom bend any of the rods. The hollow ties are formed from generally available standard box section steel, as are the supports. The spacing between the hollow ties can be varied in accordance with the pitch of the other rail ties of the railroad switch. Each hollow tie can include a heater. The switching assembly is highly adjustable, which makes it suitable for use in numerous different track configurations.

Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.

Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.

Abstract: An improved railroad switch apparatus includes a switch machine, a locking system lug, a detection system lug, a lock rod connecting rod, a point detector connecting rod, and a pair of movable rails. The locking system lug is mounted on a pair of lock rods of a switch machine, and the detection system lug is mounted on a point detector rod of the switch machine. The locking system lug includes a groove that receives the lock rod connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. Similarly, the detection system lug includes a groove that receives the point detector connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. The locking system lug and the detection system lug each include a pair of opposed convex retention surfaces formed on the groove thereof.

Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.

Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.

Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.

Abstract: A solid state code following track relay receives pulsating rail current from a railway code transmitter. The track relay includes first and second inputs structured to receive the rail current. Two Hall effect digital current sensors each have a coil and an output, which responds to current flowing through the coil. The coils of the current sensors are electrically connected in series between the first and second inputs and are structured to receive the rail current. The outputs of the current sensors are structured to turn on and off in response to the rail current. A circuit including dual one-shot multivibrators, which are triggered by positive and negative going edges from the respective current sensors, and a flip-flop, which is set and reset by the outputs of the respective multivibrators, determines that each of the current sensors is functional. Two solid state outputs are structured to follow the rail current.

Abstract: A switch machine electronic controller includes a point detecting circuit having Namur sensors for detecting an indication rod target in first and second point positions, and a lock detecting circuit having Namur sensors for detecting a lock box target in first and second lock positions. A microprocessor processes the signals to provide Normal and Reverse outputs. The Normal output is enabled when the first point and lock detection signals have values within a predetermined ON value range, and the second point and lock detection signals have values within a predetermined OFF value range. The reverse output is enabled when the second point and lock detection signals have values within the ON value range, and the first point and lock detection signals have values within the OFF value range. Both outputs are disabled when any of the signals has a value that corresponds to a shorted, open or indeterminate value range.