Patents by Inventor William R. Stillwell

William R. Stillwell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5417388
    Abstract: A train detection circuit is provided to determine whether a particular section or block of railroad track is occupied by a train. In one embodiment, a bias current generator is used to provide a low current signal that flows through the rails and through the wheels and axles of a railroad engine or car, such bias current ultimately being directed into a train detection circuit which measures the magnitude of the received bias current. If the bias current is greater than a certain magnitude, that is indicative of the particular block being occupied by a train. In second embodiment, a continuous pulse signal is directed into one rail, through a resistance bond, and through the other rail into a train detection circuit. The magnitude of this received pulse at the detection circuit will be quite small unless a train occupies the block. The received magnitude of the pulse signal can be compared to a predetermined threshold to determine the presence of a train in the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: William R. Stillwell