Abstract: A magnetically clampable rail shunt (1) comprising two magnetic clamps (10), each clamp having a magnetic device for attaching the clamp to one of two parallel railway rails (R1, R2) of a railway track by magnetic force, and an electrical conductor (20) electrically connecting the two magnetic clamps (10) for shunting the two parallel railway rails. The rail shunt (1) is characterised by a variable electrical resistor assembly (30) for adjusting the electrical resistance of the rail shunt (1), said variable electrical resistor assembly (30) being connected in series between the two magnetic clamps (10) via said electrical conductor (20). Preferred application to testing of track circuits.

Abstract: According to another aspect a system is provided for detecting a track signal leakage of a track signal on at least one railway track, a track signal being a signal transmitted via the rails of a railway track to detect the presence of a railway vehicle and/or transmit a provide information to a railway vehicle, the at least one railway track comprising at least two adjacent track sections being isolated against each other, the system comprising: a controller according to an embodiment disclosed herein; at least one transmitter for emitting a test signal via a first track section, the at least one transmitter being connected to the controller; and a plurality of receivers for receiving the test signal via one or more track sections, wherein each receiver is associated to at least one track section.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the presence of a rolling stock on a railway track that is subdivided in successive track sections forming successive electrical circuits independently fed with electrical current for monitoring the presence of a rolling stock on a track section. A transmission device for providing electrical current is located at one end of the track section, and a reception device for detecting the electrical current is located at an opposite end of the track section. This method includes steps for continuously feeding the electrical circuit with electrical current and monitoring the presence of a rolling stock on the corresponding track section so that an electrical current can be applied to the electrical circuit if the reception device detects that no rolling stock is present on the track section. A system for detecting presence of a rolling stock on a railway track is also provided.

Abstract: An electrically insulating mechanical joint checker for mechanical joints connecting rails of following track segments of a railway line, each track segment forming part of a track circuit. The track segment includes electric signal transmitting units and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals within the track segment and/or relating communication signals between the train and the track segment. The train presence detection signals and communication signals include a further joint detection signal, generated and transmitted by the transmitting units and received by the receiving units belonging to the same track segment, the joint detection signal relating to the track segment being different at least in respect to the one relating to the adjacent track segments. A method to detect a failure or breakage of a mechanical joint inside a track segment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetically clampable rail shunt (1) comprising two magnetic clamps (10), each clamp having a magnetic device for attaching the clamp to one of two parallel railway rails (R1, R2) of a railway track by magnetic force, and an electrical conductor (20) electrically connecting the two magnetic clamps (10) for shunting the two parallel railway rails. The rail shunt (1) is characterised by a variable electrical resistor assembly (30) for adjusting the electrical resistance of the rail shunt (1), said variable electrical resistor assembly (30) being connected in series between the two magnetic clamps (10) via said electrical conductor (20). Preferred application to testing of track circuits.

Abstract: A power supply vital monitor for track circuits for railway systems includes a track segment that is separated from adjacent segments by electric joints. Each track segment includes a signal transmitting unit and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals and/or transmitting or receiving communication signals between the train and the track segment. The transmitting unit and receiving units are connected to a common power supply line. To avoid an erroneous clearing of an occupied status caused by spurious signals on the power supply line affecting reception of the train detection signals, each receiving unit includes a first and a second channel, which connect the receiver with the corresponding track circuit and with a power supply sensor connected to the power supply line. Switches enable and disable connections of the receivers to the corresponding track circuit and to the corresponding power supply sensor.

Abstract: This method is for managing a railway electrical circuit (3A, 3B) adapted to detect presence of a rolling stock (T) on a railway track (1), the railway track (1) being subdivided in successive track sections (1A, 1B) forming successive electrical circuits (3A, 3B) independently fed with electrical current for monitoring the presence of a rolling stock (T) on one of the track sections (1A, 1B), each electrical circuit (3A, 3B) comprising a transmission device (9A, 9B) for feeding the electrical circuit (3A, 3B) with electrical current, located at one end of the track section, and a reception device (11A, 11B) for detecting the electrical current circulating in the electrical circuit (3A, 3B), located at an opposed end of the track section.

Abstract: Method for detecting a track signal leakage on at least one railway track, a track signal being a signal transmitted via the rails of a railway track to detect the presence of a railway vehicle and/or to transmit information to a railway vehicle, the at least one railway track including at least two track sections being electrically isolated against each other, wherein at least one receiver is associated to each track section, the method including: transmitting a test signal via a first track section; activating one or more receivers associated to the plurality of track sections, wherein the plurality of receivers are adapted to receive the test signal; receiving the test signal via one or more track sections; determining the one or more track sections, where the test signal has been received; determining whether a leakage between a first track section and at least one second track section exists.

Abstract: A power supply vital monitor for track circuits for railway systems includes a track segment that is separated from adjacent segments by electric joints. Each track segment includes a signal transmitting unit and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals and/or transmitting or receiving communication signals between the train and the track segment. The transmitting unit and receiving units are connected to a common power supply line. To avoid an erroneous clearing of an occupied status caused by spurious signals on the power supply line affecting reception of the train detection signals, each receiving unit includes a first and a second channel, which connect the receiver with the corresponding track circuit and with a power supply sensor connected to the power supply line. Switches enable and disable connections of the receivers to the corresponding track circuit and to the corresponding power supply sensor.

Abstract: An electrically insulating mechanical joint checker for mechanical joints connecting rails of following track segments of a railway line, each track segment forming part of a track circuit. The track segment includes electric signal transmitting units and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals within the track segment and/or relating communication signals between the train and the track segment. The train presence detection signals and communication signals include a further joint detection signal, generated and transmitted by the transmitting units and received by the receiving units belonging to the same track segment, the joint detection signal relating to the track segment being different at least in respect to the one relating to the adjacent track segments. The invention relates also to a method to detect a failure or breakage of a mechanical joint inside a track segment.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.