Signals Patents (Class 246/260)
  • Patent number: 11884313
    Abstract: A railroad equipment state determination apparatus includes: a storage that stores a plurality of operation data associated with a prescribed operation performed by railroad equipment that is driven by a motor from a stopped state to perform the prescribed operation and then comes into the stopped state again; an evaluation criteria setting section that sets evaluation criteria based on the plurality of operation data stored in the storage; and a determination section that determines whether new operation data resulting from the prescribed operation newly performed by the railroad equipment is abnormal based on the evaluation criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Kitajima, Youichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6568641
    Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Meridian Rail Information Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Ray Hoyer, Stephen R. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6427950
    Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Meridian Rail Information Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Ray Hoyer, Stephen R. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6427949
    Abstract: A contactless detection system for detecting the movements of the switch points of a railroad switch and stock rail of a railroad switch/point having a transformer for detecting or sensing the position of the switch points, the transformer having a core linked to the switch points, and further having a primary coil and a pair of secondary coils wound around the core; and an electronic interface means for receiving signals from the secondary coils responsive to, and corresponding with, the positioning of the switch points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom Signaling, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Hager, Michael F. Towey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6296208
    Abstract: A point detection system for a railway switch machine having a housing includes a point detector bar positionable in a normal point position and a reverse point position, and point detecting sensors positioned within the housing for detecting when the point detector bar is in the normal point position and when the point detector bar is in the reverse point position. The point detecting sensors may include a first proximity sensor for detecting when the point detector bar is in the normal point position and a second proximity sensor for detecting when the point detector bar is in the reverse point position. Preferably, the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor are inductive proximity sensors. A method of point detection for a railway switch machine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond C. Franke