Abstract: A system for supervising and controlling the movement of a railway vehicle is provided, wherein a plurality of wayside controller units are each distributed to a plurality of wayside controller locations by a multi-access carrier, such as a fiber LAN or IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, for instance, such that supervisory and control operations may be communicated between each of the wayside controller units with a multi-access protocol on the multi-access carrier. The present invention replaces the use of a serial-link protocol for point-to-point communication with a multi-access protocol on a multi-access carrier. In a preferred embodiment, a computer-based control system may be connected through the multi-access carrier, so that communication is achieved solely with multi-access protocols.

Abstract: A motion detector for detecting movement of a rail based vehicle and the direction of that movement is provided. The motion detector can be integral with or attachable to an end-of-train unit and can include a single axis accelerometer mounted at an angle from the rails for detecting acceleration in both the lateral and vertical directions. A systems controller, which can include an analyzer, can be provided to receive and analyze output from the accelerometer to determine a motion state and a direction. A power controller can be provided for supplying power to the accelerometer on an intermittent basis to conserve power. A calibration unit can be provided to both initially calibrate and to subsequently recalibrate the accelerometer after a stopped motion state is detected. Additionally, an input/output port and an output driver for conditioning the signal for output to the end-of-train unit can be provided.

Abstract: A programmable device driver and system thereof are provided for segregating functions and hardware in a railway signaling environment. The device driver includes a central processor with a memory and a timebase which is programmable to perform a function. The central processor may be detachable from the device driver. The central processor may be encapsulated in resin or potted to provide resistance to the environment. The device driver may be provided with voltage and current sensing inputs, a power input connected to a power conditioning circuit, one or more outputs, a conditional power supply, and mounting brackets. Each input may be provided with surge protection. The device driver may be provided with terminals for the inputs and outputs or pigtail leads for increased moisture resistance. The device driver also may be provided with a serial port for communicating with other programmable device drivers, a multifunction central processor, or other external device.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring control of a railway vehicle from a controlling wayside controller that controls a first zone within which the railway vehicle was previously positioned, to an adjacent wayside controller that controls a second zone within which the railway vehicle has traveled, wherein the second zone is adjacent to the first zone and separated from the first zone by a predetermined boundary in a communication based signaling system. The method utilizes information requests and control transfer requests that are transmitted and received by each of the controlling wayside controller and the adjacent wayside controller and the railway vehicle in accordance with method steps which are performed asynchronously, independently, and in parallel for each of the controlling wayside controller, the adjacent wayside controller, and the railway vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) display device, which typically has a plurality of selectively energizable display segments which are grouped to form desired shapes and/or alphanumeric characters, is provided, particularly for use in an Aspect Display Unit (ADU) that requires vitality when utilized in the railroad industry as a component of an Automatic Train Protection system utilized in the railroad industry. In a preferred embodiment, each particular segment of the LED display device is independently monitored by an accompanying independent dual photo-transistor circuit when a non-vital output periodically drives each segment to a known electrical state and then back to the original state. A first and a second photo-transistor is used for each segment of the LED display.

Abstract: Cab signalling apparatus for use on-board a vehicle which is propelled on tracks having a cab signal transmitted through rails. One or more plate mounted antenna is positioned above a rail to induce therein a signal representative of the cab signal current in the rail. A cab signal coil is mounted on at least one of the plates having an orientation generally perpendicular to the rail to receive a cab signal. A second noise coil is mounted on at least one of the plates to sense EMI representative of the undesired EMI induced in the cab signal coil. The preferred embodiments are that the plates have a generally rectangular profile and in some embodiments the plates will have a square profile. The respective noise and cab signal coils are angularly displaced from each other. In some embodiments a single core is used having both noise and cab signal coils mounted thereon, while other embodiments use multiple plates. On single plate embodiments the noise and cab signal coils may be overlapped or interleaved.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating via digital radio between a train and a device positioned at the wayside of a railway system, wherein the device detects defects at the wayside and information related to the defects is transmitted from the wayside to the train for display in the locomotive cab. A communications unit having a microprocessor control circuit and a transceiver is electrically coupled, preferably by serial connection, to the defect detector along the wayside. The transceiver of the communications unit is in radio communication with an existing transceiver in the head-of-train (HOT) unit located in the locomotive cab at the head-end of the train. The head-of-train unit has a microprocessor control circuit that drives a display which is preferably alphanumeric, for the purpose of displaying messages related to the defects detected by the defect detector at the wayside, and subsequently transmitted between the transceiver of the communications unit and the transceiver of the HOT unit.

Abstract: A wheel detector for indicating the presence of a rail vehicle on a set of spaced rails is disclosed. The wheel detector transmits a radar pulse signal and samples a portion of the signal corresponding to a target area on one of the rails. The wheel detector will generate an indication signal if a change in the reflectivity of the received signal corresponding to the target area is detected. The wheel detector may additionally include multiple transmitters and receivers to provide redundancy, and be configured to determine the linear velocity and direction of a wheel.

Abstract: A highway crossing gate control circuit is provided which minimizes the "pumping" oscillation of a highway crossing gate arm which is driven up by a permanent magnet motor. A preferred embodiment of the control circuit utilizes a p-channel MOSFET in a power down module of the control circuit to restrict power from being applied to the motor when the gate arm is in an up position and is intended to be held in the up position by a hold clear device which acts as a mechanical break. Provision is included for dynamic braking on the gate arm moving downward after an initial drive down mode.

Abstract: A car space measurement apparatus for tracking a rail vehicle position on a track is provided, which includes a wayside sensor and a supervisory processor. The wayside sensor senses multiple track parameters that are representative of the rail vehicle position. The supervisory processor receives selected track parameters and determines the rail vehicle position therefrom. Also the supervisory processor asynchronously displays a track position indication representative of the rail vehicle position. The apparatus can have an operational mode, a calibration mode, and a self -test mode. The selected track parameters are analog track phase signals. The supervisory processor can include an analog signal processor, a phase processor for determining the track position indication and a control processor for asynchronously receiving and displaying the track position indication. The asynchronous interface can be a asynchronous computer bus interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing motionlessness for sensing motionlessness in a land-based vehicle is provided. The apparatus can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted in a predetermined orientation on the vehicle and a programmable computer. The IMU can have an inertial sensor which generates a plurality of motion signals. More than one inertial sensor can be used and, in that case, each of the sensors can be mounted in a second predetermined orientation with respect to the others, such as an orthogonal orientation, thereby creating a selected spatial reference frame. The inertial sensor can be one or more accelerometers, or one or more gyroscopes, or an accelerometer-gyroscope combination. The computer receives the motion signals and determining a motion state of the vehicle therefrom. The computer provides the motion state to a target application which acts in accordance therewith.

Abstract: The invention provides for a cab signaling apparatus and method for use on board a railway vehicle propelled on a set of spaced rails by a traction motor. The cab signaling apparatus may reduce a noise component within a signal having a primary cab signal component and reduce a cab signal component within a signal having a primary noise component. The cab signaling apparatus may further include an adaptive filter to cancel the noise component within the signal having a primary cab signal component without specialized tuning of the cab signaling apparatus. The cab signaling apparatus may include a false code monitor for identifying a true cab signal code and a track signal monitor for identifying a true cab signal in the presence of noise.

Abstract: A railroad searchlight signal for producing light signals of selected colors. The searchlight uses a reflector that has an inner surface of reflective material and a focal point. One or more light emitting diodes are provided at the reflector focal point. When a current is supplied to the light emitting diode from a variable current power source, a light having a color that varies dependent upon the current is produced. The colored light produced at the light emitting diode is then directed outward of the reflector as a beam. At least one color filter that allows light of a respective color to pass therethrough is preferably provided proximate the reflector. Light that passes through the color filter is detected by a light detector such as a photovoltaic cell, a phototransistor or a photodiode.

Abstract: A brake pipe pneumatic valve attachable to an end of a railway vehicle having a first flexible air hose for transmitting brake pipe pressure, and the end-of-train device with a second flexible air hose. The valve includes a housing having first, second, and third ports. The first port is releasably connectable to the first flexible air hose; the second port is releasably connectable with the second flexible air hose; and the third port is releasably matable with a coupling connected to a helper locomotive brake pipe. The valve includes a piston that divides the housing into first and second chambers. The first chamber communicates with the first and third ports; the second chamber communicates with the second port. Also, the piston has a channel therethrough connecting the first and second chambers. The valve further includes first biasing means, disposed between the housing and the piston, for selectably urging the piston towards sealing the first port.

Abstract: A latching device is provided for releasably retaining in an upright and open position, a hinged door which is typically manufactured of a heavy cast iron and hinged to a train stop housing, thereby to prevent the unintentional and accidental closure of the hinged door during installation connections or any field operational maintenance of the train stop housing. Preferably, a latch assembly is mounted atop a sturdy frame which provides an integral support above the train stop housing and is mountable with mounting hardware to a mounting lug of the train stop housing. The latch assembly includes a covered latching bar which slides in a channel defined by a first and second bracket and is urged by a spring mounted between the first and second bracket, thereby to urge a latch end of the latching bar outwardly away from the latch assembly and an opposing handle end of the latching bar inwardly towards the latch assembly.

Abstract: A railway car retarder mechanism that employs linear electromagnetic induction to precisely accelerate or decelerate a railcar. The retarder mechanism includes a plurality of linear induction stators having a spaced plurality of primary inductors, a controllable power source electrically connected with selected ones of the primary inductors, a controller for controlling the electric current transmitted to the respective primary inductors by the controllable power source, and a sensor for sensing selected railcar parameters and transmitting those parameters to the controller, so that the speed-corrective forces applied by the retarder are proportional to these parameters. The controller regulates the magnetomotive force which is imparted upon a selected one of a plurality of railcar wheel sets, and is connected with each controllable power source. In some embodiments, the sensor include at least a portion of fiber-optic cable, which cable can be disposed proximate to a predetermined length of track rail.

Abstract: A railway signal having a housing, in which the housing has an annular ledge thereon. The annular ledge has first and second opposed surfaces. One or more portions of the second ledge surface, preferably cast raised bosses, are machined so as to have a selected height. A reflector is mounted upon the first ledge surface. Also attached to the signal housing is a lamp receptacle bracket. The lamp receptacle bracket has a first end that is mounted upon the one or more machined portions of the second ledge surface. The lamp receptacle bracket also has a second end that has a lamp receptacle attached thereto. An insulating plate is disposed between the lamp receptacle flat portion and the lamp receptacle bracket flat surface.

Abstract: A decelerometer is provided for detecting and measuring inertial deceleration and acceleration of a vehicle moving in a first direction and alternatively moving in a second direction which opposes the first direction. The decelerometer uses a tilt sensor which changes voltage as the tilt sensor is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise or is otherwise tilted from a level position. Two voltage outputs from the tilt sensor are processed to convert from AC to DC and from DC to digital information, which subsequently is processed by a processing unit for decisions to be made relative to accelerating, decelerating, and braking of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a light signal to a signal unit at an overhead location along a railway signal structure, particularly a cantilever signal structure having a vertical mast and an arm assembly extending therefrom. Signal units may be located along the mast and/or the arm assembly. A light source is provided at or near ground level so as to be readily accessible by a maintainer and is connected by fiber optic cable to the signal units. Thus, light produced by the light source travels through the optical fiber to the signal units.

Abstract: Cab signalling apparatus for use on-board a vehicle which is propelled on tracks having a cab signal transmitted through rails. One or more plate mounted antenna is positioned above a rail to induce therein a signal representative of the cab signal current in the rail. A cab signal coil is mounted on at least one of the plates having an orientation generally perpendicular to the rail to receive a cab signal. A second noise coil is mounted on at least one of the plates to sense EMI representative of the undesired EMI induced in the cab signal coil. The preferred embodiments are that the plates have a generally rectangular profile and in some embodiments the plates will have a square profile. The respective noise and cab signal coils are angularly displaced from each other. In some embodiments a single core is used having both noise and cab signal coils mounted thereon, while other embodiments use multiple plates. On single plate embodiments the noise and cab signal coils may be overlapped or interleaved.