Switch Signals Patents (Class 246/176)
  • Patent number: 8996209
    Abstract: A method for operating a railway section that includes section elements, which are each actuated by a processor that is reliable in terms of signaling and cyclically carries out a test routine. A railway section is configured for carrying out the method. In order to save energy and cost, the processor is operated selectively in active mode or sleep mode. From the sleep mode the processor is switched to the active mode for the duration of the test routine by way of a timer logic element that is reliable in terms of signaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Temming
  • Patent number: 8857770
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for a railroad switch for use in un-signalized (dark) territory utilizing multiple audio messages for control and communication purposes to operate the railroad switch and relay its position to incoming trains. The messages are triggered by a programmable logic controller in conjunction with a dual tone multiple frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: David J. Ruskauff, Donald Coy Beamon
  • Patent number: 8104722
    Abstract: A transporting system is provided with: a track having a junction point; a plurality of transporting vehicles, each travelling on the track; and a transferring device which has (i) a left portion disposed on an edge on a left side of each of two track portions that are located at least before the junction point of the track with respect to a travelling direction of each transporting vehicle as a standard and (ii) a right portion disposed on an edge on a right side, and which can transfer a signal between the left portion in one of the two track portions and the right portion in another of the two track portions, and between the right portion in said one of the two track portions and the left portion in said another of the two track portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hisashi Onishi
  • Patent number: 8019497
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Patent number: 7818101
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Patent number: 7792616
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Patent number: 7751952
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency
  • Patent number: 7747362
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Patent number: 7742849
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency
  • Patent number: 7657348
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Patent number: 7596433
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Patent number: 7457691
    Abstract: A system for computing car switching solutions in a railway switch yard. The system is computer based and has an input for receiving data conveying information about one or more arrival trains arriving at the switch yard and data conveying information about departure trains to depart the switch yard. A processing entity processes the data and computes car switching solutions for the railcars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canadian National Railway Company
    Inventors: Kari Muinonen, Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker, Vincent Morency, Gordon Doyle
  • Publication number: 20080119973
    Abstract: As embodied and broadly described herein the invention includes a system for computing a preferred sequence in which cars in a switching queue of a railway switchyard are to be sequentially switched to classification tracks. The system has a processing entity for determining within a given set of cars at least two possible sequences in which the cars in the set can be switched and applying logic rules for identifying among the sequences a preferred sequence. The system also has an output for releasing data describing the preferred sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Anshu Pathak, Matthew Barker
  • Patent number: 6556898
    Abstract: A distributed control system for a track network includes a local controller connected to a plurality of switch machines and a central office. The local controller receives from each switch machine a switch position signal and outputs to at least one switch machine a switch control signal related to a desired state of a track switch associated with the at least one switch machine in one of a plurality of positions. The local controller further outputs to the central office a first communication signal including switch position data corresponding to the switch position signal output by the at least one switch machine and receives from the central office, as a function of the first communication signal and a desired movement of one or more vehicles on the track network, a second communication signal which includes switch control data corresponding to the switch control data output to the at least one switch machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventor: Keith W. Clawson
  • Patent number: 6164600
    Abstract: Device for detecting the positions of pivotable parts of a rail switch, such as, e.g., tongue rails (1, 2) by at least one sensor designed as a continuous distance sensor (4,5,6,7), wherein the sensor output is connected to a circuit arrangement (10) for two separate evaluations, the first evaluation being configured as a distance evaluation and the second evaluation being configured as a function control of the sensor, as well as a method for evaluating signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: VAE Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Seidl, Josef Frauscher