Abstract: A train simulator test set is disclosed that can be operably coupled to a railroad track to measure the resting impedance of that track circuit and simulate a train by varying the railroad track inductance over a set period of time. The test set can select the speed, direction, and number of trains to simulate. By applying a variable inductance on the railroad tracks, the test set can simulate a train moving at variable speeds toward and away from the island. The test set can apply inductances to the railroad tracks to simulate two or more trains moving in each direction of the tracks at the same time, along with multiple looks and routes. The train simulator test set can include simulation software to vary the parameters of the train simulation and couple a variable inductance on the railroad tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic marker to be laid in or on a road to achieve driving support control such as lane departure warning for warning departure of a vehicle from a lane and so forth, is a magnetic marker in which an RFID tag having an antenna for transmitting or receiving electric waves for wireless communication is retained in a magnet forming a magnetism generation source. The magnetic marker further includes a protective cover which prevents proximity of water to the antenna of the RFID tag and isolates the antenna from water. Thus, more information can be stably provided to a vehicle side.

Abstract: To install, in or on a road surface of a road, a magnetic marker having retained in its outer perimeter an RFID tag including an antenna for wireless communication, an arrangement step of accommodating the magnetic marker in an accommodation hole provided to be bored in the road surface and a formation step of providing the magnetic marker with a protecting part for isolating the antenna from water are performed. With these steps, even if the periphery of the magnetic marker is submerged in water after installation, high communication performance of the RFID tag can be kept.

Abstract: A railway road crossing warning system (10) including a railway road crossing control unit (18) that may be selectively set to a primary or a secondary mode of operation is provided. In the primary mode of operation, the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to a primary activation signal (21) received from a primary activation-signal source (22), such as a positive train control (PTC) system. In the event the primary activation signal from the primary activation-signal source is not available, railway road crossing control unit (18) is set to the secondary mode of operation, where the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to one or more signals (25) received from a secondary activation-signal source (26) including a railway-vehicle sensing system (28) electrically-decoupled from a railroad track (12).

Abstract: A magnetic marker (1), laid in or on a road so as be detectable by a magnetic sensor (2) attached to a bottom surface side of a vehicle (5), that is used for vehicle-side drive assist control for assisting driving is an isotropic ferrite plastic magnet, molded into a columnar shape, that contains a magnetic powder of iron oxide, i.e. a powder of a magnetic material, dispersed in a polymer material. In a marker system (1S) including this magnetic marker (1), magnetic markers (1) accommodated in holes (530) bored in a road surface (53) are arranged along the center of a lane.

Abstract: The invention relates a device (10) for data and/or signal transmission between two adjacent units of a multi-membered, track-guided vehicle combination, wherein the device (10) comprises at least one emitter (11) for emitting electromagnetic radiation as needed. According to the invention, the at least one emitter (11) is integrated into a lamp module (1) which is designed to be installed in a front region of a vehicle (A, B) of the multi-membered vehicle combination.

Abstract: A railroad measurement system includes a railroad track powered measurement device providing measurement signals of electrical quantities across rails of a railroad track; a wayside control device adapted to receive the measurement signals provided by the railroad track powered measurement device; and a communication network interfacing with the railroad track powered measurement device and adapted to transmit data, wherein the railroad track powered measurement device is adapted to transmit the measurement signals of the electrical quantities via the communication network, and the wayside control device is adapted to receive the measurement signals.

Abstract: A receive attenuation system for a locomotive consist having a communication network is disclosed. The system may have a trainline communication processor and an adjustable attenuator. The adjustable attenuator may be configured to be connected to the network and variably attenuate a signal received via the network before transmitting the signal to the trainline communication processor. The system may also have a gain controller coupled to the adjustable attenuator. The gain controller may be configured to identify a transmitting locomotive from which the signal was sent, determine a tuned attenuation control value based on a distance between the transmitting locomotive and a receiving locomotive, and control the adjustable attenuator according to the tuned attenuation control value.

Abstract: A reliable and consistent electrical contact path between the rails of a section of railroad track established by the shunting effect of the wheels and axles of a train is ensured by applying time-spaced, short duration electrical pulses to the rails at a voltage level sufficient to overcome poor wheel/rail contact. Each of the pulses is produced by a generator that discharges a capacitor across the rails. The narrow pulse width inductively isolates the pulse generator and associated track section from adjacent stretches of track, and the spacing between pulses further avoids interference with other types of electrical track equipment. A detector responsive to the voltage on the rails disables the pulse generator when the received voltage exceeds a threshold and thus indicates that no train wheels are present in the track section. In a grade crossing warning system, once activated the pulse generator and detector assume the role of the island detection circuit and maintain the crossing warning.

Abstract: Highway crossing gate control circuit in which a permanent magnet motor is controlled to drive up and drive down the gate arm by utilization of a single motor control relay and controller contacts which sense the position of the gate arm. The motor polarity is reversed through utilization of the motor control relay, which is operated by a single up input signal. Provision is included for dynamic breaking on the arm moving downward after an initial drive down mode.

Abstract: A reliable and consistent electrical contact path between the rails of a railroad track established by the shunting effect of the wheels and axles of a train is ensured by applying an alternating current signal to the rails at a voltage level sufficient to overcome poor wheel/rail contact and cause a wetting current to flow between the rails. This likewise provides a current path for railroad control and communication signals, such as the island circuit signal of a grade crossing warning system. The effective range of the wetting current signal is limited by providing the signal with a frequency of 10 KHz or higher to inductively isolate the signal source and associated stretch of track from any shunts beyond that stretch. To avoid interference with other types of electronic track equipment, the signal is applied only when required. In grade crossing warning systems, it is controlled in a fail-safe manner.

Abstract: A train approach detector uses frequencies in the audio spectrum to activate grade crossing protection devices in advance of and during the presence of railroad trains at grade crossings. The detector is completely solid state, and includes one transmitter and one receiver each connected to the tracks so that transmitted and received track signals, which are partially pulse modulated for optimum filtering and signal coupling and minimum third harmonic radiation, appear on opposite sides of the crossing. The section of track between the transmitter and receiver is designated as a crossing island and sections of rail outside of the island are known as approaches.

Abstract: A railroad highway crossing warning system including pickup coils for sensing current flowing in the track rails of an approach zone, a circuit for sensing the voltage across the track rails, band-pass filter circuits for filtering the voltage and current derived from the track rails, impedance calculator circuits for calculating the track impedance, phase detector circuits for detecting the phase angle between the voltage and current, a multiplier circuit for linearizing the track impedance by multiplying the track impedance by a function of the phase angle, a data sampler circuit for sampling the linearized track impedance at given periodic intervals, a motion detector and crossing predictor circuit for detecting the motion of a train and for predicting the time of arrival at the crossing by comparing the predicted time of arrival with an advanced warning time, and a logic gate circuit for activating the warning apparatus at the crossing when the predicted time of arrival is less than the advanced warning t

Abstract: A train detection system for protecting a railroad highway crossing having an a.c. transmitter center-feeding voltage signals into the track rails and having a receiver including at least a pair of coils located on opposite sides of the crossing and disposed adjacent the track rails for defining an island zone and for inductively picking up a.c. signals when the island zone is unoccupied and determines the time of arrival of a train at the crossing.

Abstract: A system controlling apparatus wherein an array of sensors are used for detecting information and for providing signals indicative of information concerning passing articles such as presence of an article at a sensor, number of articles passing, the direction of passing and the velocity of passing. Signal processing apparatus is comparing the signals with pre-determined parameter information as to the system and for providing control to the system in response to detecting equality and for providing overriding control to the system in response to detecting inequality. Each of the sensors is self-checking during the period an article is not present.

Abstract: At a railroad crossing, a single motion detection unit is selectively coupled to an occupied track in such manner that safe, effective and efficient control is obtained over the crossing alarm device. The means for coupling the motion detection unit includes means for terminating the activation of the crossing alarm device when a train stops on the approach track, but short of the actual intersection. Techniques for multiplexing a motion detection unit with plural tracks at the grade crossing or with multiple track circuits on a single track are provided. Safe operation is assured with multiple track occupancy irrespective of the sequence of occupancy and which is the last to remain occupied or if one of the trains stops or reverses direction of motion.

Abstract: A highway crossing warning system includes a motion detector transmitter and receiver respectively coupled to the track rails adjacent the highway crossing for detecting motion of an approaching train. Wrap-around approach sections initiate operation of the highway crossing warning, but once motion is detected, the motion detector can serve to inhibit the highway crossing warning, after a predetermined delay, if motion indication ceases. To increase the effectiveness of the motion detector, the motion detector transmitter impresses a modulated carrier onto the track rails, wherein the modulation is phase locked to the carrier. The receiver, tuned to the carrier frequency, detects the modulation, and then determines from the level of the modulated signal whether or not approaching motion is detected. The transmitter employs solid state circuits switched between saturated and off conditions to prevent circuit component failures from masking approach motion.

Abstract: The velocity of a railway car travelling along a particular track can be determined by measuring the distance travelled by the car during a predetermined time interval. This distance travelled is measured by determining the location of the car with respect to a fixed point on the track at two different points of time. The determination of the location, in turn, is found by measuring the time period that it takes an electric signal applied at a fixed signal generating point to travel along the railway track and, once reaching the car, to be reflected back along the track to the signal generating point. By measuring the time delay between the applied signal and the reflected signal, the distance between the application point and the closest railway car on the track can be measured.

Abstract: A highway crossing warning system includes a motion detector transmitter and receiver respectively coupled to the track rails adjacent the highway crossing for detecting motion of an approaching train. Wrap-around approach sections initiate operation of the highway crossing warning, but once motion is detected, the motion detector can serve to inhibit the highway crossing warning, after a predetermined delay, if motion indication ceases. To increase the effectiveness of the motion detection, the motion detector transmitter impresses a modulated carrier onto the track rails, wherein the modulation is phase locked to the carrier. The receiver, tuned to the carrier frequency, detects the modulation, and then determines from the level of demodulated signal whether or not approaching motion is detected. The transmitter employs solid state circuits switched between saturated and off conditions to prevent circuit component failures from masking approach motion.

Abstract: A high pass coupler or filter network provides a bypass for relatively high frequency AC signals, while providing DC signal isolation and avoiding loading the track for relatively low frequency AC signals, around a set of insulated joints in a railroad track or the like. The high pass coupler includes a coupling portion for connection to a track and a dynamically resonant filtering portion with a selectable low cut off frequency determined by the proper size capacitor. The capacitor sets up resonance with the track inductance, which decreases in magnitude in response to the moving shunt affect of a train approaching the coupling portion and thus increases the resonant frequency of the coupler, and the capacitor is of a magnitude that ensures the coupler resonant frequency will not exceed the frequency of the AC signals normally to be passed by the coupler.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a receiver in a railroad grade crossing protection system having a transmitter and receiver connected to the rails and a defined approach track section, utilizes the receiver detected motion voltage to determine low ballast resistance. A signal representative of the ballast condition is then utilized in conjunction with the signal representative of train motion to calibrate the receiver for the particular ballast condition.

Abstract: A signaling circuit adapted to be used with railroad tracks or the like for ensuring fail-safe performance in respect to the operation of a control device, such as a track relay, which must function in a fail-safe manner, typically to become deenergized after a set period and to release or drop away when any emergency or failure occurs; thereby to produce a safe action, such as providing a warning signal to the engineer or operator of a train. The signaling circuit includes a quick-acting shunt detector which operates to detect short-duration shunting effects and functions to so extend or enhance them that they produce the desired result of releasing the track relay.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an approaching train within a track section utilizes a transmitter coupled to the rails at a feed point for applying a current to the track section. There is a receiver coupled to the track section for producing a signal representative of the impedance of the track section. There are devices for utilizing the received signal for detecting train motion, abnormally low impedance and abnormally high impedance of the track section. A normalizer circuit is connected to the receiver for increasing or decreasing the received signal gain within predetermined limits in accordance with variation in impedance of the track section.