Abstract: A track-guided transport system with power and data transmission and used for conveying goods. The transport system is provided with a transport element having drive and track-guide elements; storage, input and output units for goods; and a data processing and transmission unit. The transport element is provided with a transmission head as a secondary element for transferring power from a primary circuit laid along the track, the transmission head is mounted on the vehicle comprising a ferrite core and a secondary winding surrounding the core and magnetically is coupled to the primary circuit. An adjustable and controllable drive unit may be provided for forward motion; and a device may be provided for the forward motion for low-friction compensation of gravity and to ensure low-friction sliding along a track, as well as track-guide elements.

Abstract: A vehicle control system issues control signals to vehicles to control their movements along a route between a first location and a second location, the vehicles comprising a set of vehicles of a first type, to which the system can issue control signals at more than one location within the route, and a set of vehicles of a second type to which the system cannot issue control signals at more than one location within the route. Sending devices sense vehicles entering and leaving the route and the type of these vehicles, storage devices stores a record of the number of vehicles within the route and a record of the type of vehicle that most recently entered the route, signalling devices signal to vehicles whether they may enter the route by moving beyond the first location and control devices receives information from the storage devices and transmits signals to the signalling devices.

Abstract: A traffic control system for mobile units has a plurality of stationary, passive units having electronic store capacity and transmit and receive facilities. The store of the passive units contains an information code which is unique to the unit and is related to the position by a mobile unit, the stationary units supply their information code, enabling the mobile unit to calculate its position. The store of the stationary units, in addition to the information codes of the units, contains stored traffic messages which are supplied together with the information code upon interrogation from the mobile unit. The movement from the mobile unit can be adjusted according to the traffic information received.

Abstract: Cab signalling apparatus for use on-board a vehicle which is propelled on tracks having a cab signal transmitted through rails. One or more plate mounted antenna is positioned above a rail to induce therein a signal representative of the cab signal current in the rail. A cab signal coil is mounted on at least one of the plates having an orientation generally perpendicular to the rail to receive a cab signal. A second noise coil is mounted on at least one of the plates to sense EMI representative of the undesired EMI induced in the cab signal coil. The preferred embodiments are that the plates have a generally rectangular profile and in some embodiments the plates will have a square profile. The respective noise and cab signal coils are angularly displaced from each other. In some embodiments a single core is used having both noise and cab signal coils mounted thereon, while other embodiments use multiple plates. On single plate embodiments the noise and cab signal coils may be overlapped or interleaved.

Abstract: The invention provides for a cab signaling apparatus and method for use on board a railway vehicle propelled on a set of spaced rails by a traction motor. The cab signaling apparatus may reduce a noise component within a signal having a primary cab signal component and reduce a cab signal component within a signal having a primary noise component. The cab signaling apparatus may further include an adaptive filter to cancel the noise component within the signal having a primary cab signal component without specialized tuning of the cab signaling apparatus. The cab signaling apparatus may include a false code monitor for identifying a true cab signal code and a track signal monitor for identifying a true cab signal in the presence of noise.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. Front and rear bogies of the vehicles pivot about front and rear vertical turn axes and carry direction control wheels that cooperate with guide ribs along tracks for selective control of movement to either of two exits from a Y junction. Electric power can be supplied through upper and lower track structures which can be of laminated construction. The guideway provides a protected environment for error-free data transmissions made through closely spaced inductive couplings between monitoring and control circuits along the guideway and control circuits of the carrier vehicles. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: Inductive pickups for sensing coded cab current information employ short ferrite cores and exhibit a pronounced roll-off characteristic to provide a detection system that may be used with locomotives powered by alternating current traction motors. Desired response is enhanced by connecting the inductors in phase in a tuned circuit and by employing a cancelling coil in phase opposition that receives interfering motor noise but is insensitive to the coded information.

Abstract: Cab signalling apparatus for use on-board a vehicle which is propelled on tracks having a cab signal transmitted through rails. One or more plate mounted antenna is positioned above a rail to induce therein a signal representative of the cab signal current in the rail. A cab signal coil is mounted on at least one of the plates having an orientation generally perpendicular to the rail to receive a cab signal. A second noise coil is mounted on at least one of the plates to sense EMI representative of the undesired EMI induced in the cab signal coil. The preferred embodiments are that the plates have a generally rectangular profile and in some embodiments the plates will have a square profile. The respective noise and cab signal coils are angularly displaced from each other. In some embodiments a single core is used having both noise and cab signal coils mounted thereon, while other embodiments use multiple plates. On single plate embodiments the noise and cab signal coils may be overlapped or interleaved.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. The connections may include electrical connections for power and communication and they are made to upper ends of posts that extend from front and rear portions of each carrier vehicle and up through a narrow centrally located slot in the guideway. Transfer vehicles operate to transfer loads between the carrier vehicles and storage positions and may be controlled to move in either of two transverse directions or to rotate in a turntable operation. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. The connections are made to upper ends of posts that extend from front and rear portions of each carrier vehicle and up through a narrow centrally located slot in the guideway. The guideway provides a protected environment for error-free data transmissions made through closely spaced inductive couplings between monitoring and control circuits along the guideway and control circuits of the carrier vehicles. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. Front and rear bogies of the vehicles pivot about front and rear vertical turn axes and carry direction control wheels that cooperate with guide ribs along tracks for selective control of movement to either of two exits from a Y junction. The guideway provides a protected environment for error-free data transmissions made through closely spaced inductive couplings between monitoring and control circuits along the guideway and control circuits of the carrier vehicles. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing coded cab current information in a high level noise environment, caused by the magnetic fields of AC traction motors employed in the locomotive, utilizes pickup coils each having an upright axis and an axially extending, ferrite core. The coils are employed in pairs on a common magnetic structure located over an underlying rail, the coils being spaced apart horizontally and transversely of the rail. Magnetic flux resulting from the cab current is directed in opposite axial directions through the coils, whereas magnetic flux produced by the AC traction motors is directed through the coils in the same axial directions. This results in the addition of the voltages induced in the coils by the cab current, and voltage subtraction in response to the interfering magnetic field produced by the AC motors.

Abstract: A cab signaling apparatus for use on board a railway vehicle which is propelled on rail tracks by an electric drive motor. The invention utilizes a cab signal transmitted to the vehicle through a track circuit in the rails. On board receiving of the cab signal is done by a receiving coil, which may be mounted in front of the lead axle, as a current transformer around the lead axle, or at another location where the cab signal current is relatively strong. The cab signal that is sensed has a cab signal component and an interference component. On board the vehicle a sampled signal is taken which has the characteristic of the electromagnetic interference subjected to the cab signal receiver coil. The sampled signal is then subtracted from the sensed cab signal such that the sampled interference signal cancels the interference component of the cab signal.

Abstract: A cab signaling apparatus for use on board a railway vehicle which is propelled on rail tracks by an electric drive motor. The invention utilizes a cab signal transmitted to the vehicle through a track circuit in the rails. On board receiving of the cab signal is done by a receiving coil, which may be mounted in front of the lead axle, as a current transformer around the lead axle, or at another location where the cab signal current is relatively strong. The cab signal that is sensed has a cab signal component and an interference component. On board the vehicle a sampled signal is taken which has the characteristic of the electromagnetic interference subjected to the cab signal receiver coil. The sampled signal is then subtracted from the sensed cab signal such that the sampled interference signal cancels the interference component of the cab signal.

Abstract: A railway vehicle cab signalling system providing electrical signals to operate an aspect display unit or the like located on-board a railway vehicle based upon the track circuit signals typically used to operate wayside indicators. A sensor detects the track circuit current as it passes through at least one wheel and axle set on the vehicle. A processor receives an output signal from the sensor and produces a signal to operate the aspect display unit.

Abstract: An audio frequency (AF) track circuit whereby a railway track tuned loop transmitter operating in a dual resonant mode, for handling, two signal frequencies, can be coupled to the rails. Each frequency is conducted through a tuning unit having series and parallel branches tuned to each frequency. The track circuit using the tuned loop transmitter eliminates DC return current imbalance effects while maintaining suitably high track circuit shunting sensitivity.

Abstract: To increase the number of different signals which may be transmitted from a ground station provided with a coder (17) to a rail vehicle (1) provided with a decoder (18) and being on a rail section connected to the station, the transmission is carried out by inductance by means of electric alternating current with both pulse-frequency modulation and pulse-width modulation.

Abstract: In an inductive radio control system for a vehicle, data transmission between a vehicle which travels along a predetermined route and a ground operation control unit is performed by inductive radio means in such a manner that one of the loop antennas discretely arranged along the predetermined route is coupled to a corresponding transmitter/receiver in accordance with the traveling position of the vehicle. The number of transmitters/receivers is the same as the maximum number of operating vehicles.

Abstract: A railway track circuit arrangement particularly suitable for the short track circuit, down to approximately 40 metres, required in metro transit systems. Based on conventional A.C. track signalling principles for continuous track rails, the boundaries between adjacent track sections are defined by electric separation zones. An electrical short is connected between the running rails and an A.C. signal tuning unit is connected approximately 6 metres away to tune the end loop thus formed to resonance at the selected track signal frequency. The tuning units comprise a capacitor, the value of which is selected for resonance tuning, and a transformer a winding of which is connected in series with the capacitor, and a track circuit signal transmitter or receiver is connected through a second winding of the transformer. In order to reduce mutual coupling between track circuits by longitudinal leakage, in each joint, two electrical short may be connected between the rails spaced apart approximately 0.75 metre.

Abstract: The control system is of the kind in which vehicle passage is controlled by a token, and is particularly suitable for single track railways.According to the invention, such a system is electronic, and a central control and each vehicle in use in the system is provided with electronic transmitting and receiving equipment, by which an exclusive electronic token, or the like, is transmitted between the control and a designated vehicle, the arrangement being such that, only if the electronic token is issued to a vehicle, by simultaneous operation by the controller and vehicle operator, will that vehicle be authorized to proceed, said electronic token being withdrawn by the central control once the restricted section to which it relates has been traversed by said vehicle.

Abstract: A device for indicating a certain proximity between movable units emitting to the units a synchronizing signal with a very high transmission speed. A transmitter device is situated at least on certain of the units. The transmitter device is activated by the synchronizing pulse to emit an information signal in the form of a wave propagation movement in the medium in which the units are located. The wave propagation movement has in comparison with the synchronizing signal a considerably lower transmission speed. In at least certain others of the units the information signal is received by and related to the difference in time between the synchronizing signal and the received information signal to a predetermined time value corresponding to a certain proximity between the units. Thereafter the difference in time is evaluated in relation to the predetermined time value.

Abstract: The invention has as its goal a device for extremely precise localization of a train circulating on a railway, and necessitating no complex circuit on the ground. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises, on board the train and in front of its first axle, at least one tuned emitter fixed at an electromagnetic radio frequency, and a receiver provided with two detectors. On the ground, a passive loop tuned to the frequency used, is disposed between the two rails of the track, with the detectors and emitter being disposed in such a manner that there is not direct induction between them.

Abstract: An object moves along a predetermined route adjacent a pair of inductive radio lines crossed at two predetermined intervals P.sub.1 and P.sub.2. A sensing device on the object senses the intervals and enables generation of an object position signal having a first code value when the interval P.sub.1 is sensed and a second code value when the interval P.sub.2 is sensed.

Abstract: A voltage variation detector is connected to a receiver which is associated with a transmitter inducing an alternating signal permanently in the rails of a railroad track and, accordingly, in a conductive loop positioned between the rails. The respective variations of the voltage induced in the loop and of a feeding voltage to the loop furnish redundant information of the presence of a car in the transmission zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a control signal in front of a vehicle moving along a track having an earth ground potential, with the vehicle having first and second low impedance interconnected collector shoes being coupled between a pair of signal rails and provided at respectively the front end and rear end of the vehicle. A first control signal is provided in front of the vehicle to control the desired operation of the vehicle and a second control signal is provided in the rear of the vehicle to control an undesired operation of the vehicle. An impedance member is provided, in a first conductive circuit on the vehicle or in a second conductive circuit associated with the track, to prevent the second control signal in front of the train from having a threshold level high enough to confuse the desired operation of the train.

Abstract: A stationary transmitting and receiving station includes a transmitting section which is connected to an elongated induction loop and operable to transmit signal messages including identifying code signals to said induction loop, and a receiving section adapted to receive acknowledgements. A plurality of mobile units are movable along said induction loop and comprise each a receiver inductively coupled to said induction loop and adapted to receive from said induction loop signal messages which include a code signal identifying said mobile unit, and a transmitter operable to transmit an acknowledgment in response to the reception of such signal message by said receiver. A plurality of acknowledgment loops extend along respective length portions of said induction loop and are inductively coupled to said transmitters of all said movable units.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to reduce the total power consumed by a coupling for inducing a high-frequency alternating current in the rails of a railroad track for the purpose of transmitting information to trains traveling along the track.According to the invention, the coupling consists of two conductive coils made of a conductive strip attached to an insulating strip, the conductive strip being arrayed, in the portions of the coupling that are parallel to the rail, in a plane parallel to the sides of the central rib of the rail and on either side of it, the insulating strip separating the central rib of the rail from the conductive strip. The two coils are connected in such a way that the same current flows in the same direction through both.

Abstract: The two inputs of a first flip-flop (FF) are alternately energized over a pair of opposite contacts of a code transmitter. Outputs of a second FF alternately enable a pair of logic gates to pass first or second output pulses of the first FF as clock pulses which drive a counter which produces an output pulse after each preselected count X. Each counter output pulse, equal in length to a half cycle of the code, triggers the second FF to its opposite state. A magnetic stick code repeater relay is driven between its two positions by energy supplied from a normally active driver circuit over another pair of opposite contacts of the code transmitter. The driver circuit is optically coupled to be turned off during each counter output pulse, thus inhibiting repeater relay operation during the corresponding half code cycle. This relay holds in its existing position, blanking a half cycle code period, and then is held by the again active driver circuit during the subsequent half cycle.

Abstract: A track circuit is disclosed and includes rails which are fed from a main signal transmitter and which rails, at an information point a required distance from the transmitter, are shunted by a cross impedance, with which impedance, with respect to the track of the main signal, an additional transmitter of an auxiliary signal and a main receiver for receiving signals from the main and additional transmitter are serially connected. A signal indicating a free track is obtained if the main receiver is energized.

Abstract: A process for coding track circuits allows particularly information to be transmitted to a vehicle travelling over a railway track divided into a succession of sections each equipped with a track circuit, in which each of the carrier frequencies for energizing the track circuits is frequency modulated by means of a number of modulation frequencies each representing a piece of information to be transmitted. This process includes the steps of comparing the modulation frequency obtained by demodulation of the modulated carrier frequency with another source of modulation so as to check that said modulation frequency is indeed correct, and to allow transmission of the modulated carrier frequency in the corresponding track circuit only when this check is positive. This process and device applies to high-speed railway trains.

Abstract: In a train control system wherein emitter beacons are located at predetermined points on the track near to one of the running rails, a device for detecting the position of a vehicle running on the railway track. It comprises into each beacon a radiating vertical-axis coil powered by an alternating current of a given frequency and, on board the vehicle, near to the corresponding rail, a pick-up unit including two pairs of receiver coils the axes of which are horizontal and perpendicular to the running rails. The associated circuits comprise two differential amplifiers connected to at least to two band-pass filters and a multiplier circuit in order to generate a positive signal when and only when the beacon is located between the two pairs of coils and the frequency of the beacon is the central frequency of the filters.

Abstract: A continuous, self-supporting microwave transmission line along which ultra short pulses of microwave signals may propagate over distances of several hundred feet with minimum pulse distortion and signal attenuation. Propagation along the line is accomplished by an electromagnetic field thereabout that is sensitive to objects positioned in the proximity of the transmission line, a characteristic that may be utilized in short pulse reflectometer systems for monitoring and control of vehicles on a prescribed course.

Abstract: Driverless vehicles move in one direction along a path divided into blocks. Movement command signals are radiated from plural elongated radiators per block, arranged end-to-end, the last in each block a departure radiator wholly within the block. A receiver in each vehicle comprises a memory element established in active condition by a momentary "clear" signal and maintained in active condition by a continuous succession of movement command signals. A departure radiator emits no movement command signals while the block directly ahead of it is occupied, but it emits a "clear" signal and continuous movement command signals when that block is safe for entry. Only departure radiators emit "clear" signals; hence, a vehicle which slides into an occupied block cannot continue moving in that block.

Abstract: A transmitter and a receiver are located at each junction location between adjoining track sections along a stretch of track for transmitting and receiving cab signal or speed control commands through wire loops laid in a preselected pattern parallel to and between the rails of each section. Train carried apparatus is selectively reponsive to the speed commands and to the pattern of the wire loops to control the movement of the train in the established direction through the stretch. A distinct directional frequency is transmitted from the selected entrance end of the stretch, when a train movement is desired, and is repeated at each wayside location through the wire loops to the exit end. The directional frequency reception at each location activates a filter output to selectively enable gating elements to connect the associated transmitter and receiver to the adjoining section loops in accordance with the desired traffic direction.

Abstract: A low power radar mounted on the train interrogates passive transponders located along the track. Inductive coupling arrangements associated with the radar and each of the transponders inhibits responses from transponders other than the one immediately underneath the radar, and also for indicating failure of transponders.

Abstract: In a train control signalling system, a wayside signal of an unknown code rate is detected and decoded on board the train to determine the code rate and derive the coded train control intelligence. The code rate is determined by counting the number of cycles of a known higher frequency which occur during one period of the unknown code rate. Before a train command signal is issued, a number of tests are performed to verify that the determination is accurate with no margin for error. The known higher frequency signal is passed through a tuned circuit to verify that it is within predetermined limits of its rated frequency. The counter that counts the cycles of the known higher frequency is tested to verify that it is reset to zero at required intervals. Verification is obtained that one and only one train control signal is obtained. The counting circuits and memory devices are cycled prior to each decoding operation to verify proper functioning.

Abstract: A wire loop for carrying cab signal or speed control commands is laid parallel to the rails along the track center line except at the exit end of each section where an offset portion of this loop is laid immediately adjacent one rail to form a cut-in signal source. A second loop is laid along the center line of the rails through this offset distance, which is equal to the stopping distance of the train from the restricted speed rate, and each loop is supplied by the same cab signal transmitter. Each train carries receiver coils positioned above the center line loops and above the cut-in loop positions. The normal cab signal or speed control apparatus is controlled by the signal picked up by the receiver coil above the centerline loops in the track. A separate cut-in receiver is controlled by signals picked up from the offset portion of the main loop but responds only to a proceed signal command.

Abstract: Driverless vehicles, confined to motion in one direction along a defined path divided into blocks, receive commands from a central unit in the form of encoded command signals radiated from an elongated radiator. Each vehicle progresses only while receiving signals regularly. The radiator comprises two parallel stretches, each extending all along the path but divided into sections, each section being as long as a block but extending across a block boundary, with a section of each stretch paired with a laterally adjacent section of the other stretch. In each section pair, the segment of one section that lies in one block is shielded, the remainder unshielded; the other section of the pair has opposite shielded and unshielded segments.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for central spacing control of track-operated vehicles, particularly railroad vehicles, along paths which are subdivided into individual track sections for the positioning of the vehicles, which sections are continuously monitored as to occupation, in dependence upon the instantaneous position of the vehicles, preferably utilizing stationary information systems, particularly for railroad systems with a dense train succession and track section lengths, and without continuous information channels between vehicles and a main office, in which each of the track sections is continuously monitored in the main office, with respect to occupation thereof by a vehicle or a series of coupled vehicles, to determine whether the path sections ahead of and/or behind the occupied distance, representing a predetermined minimum distance between successive vehicles or series of coupled vehicles, are free of vehicles, and providing an actuating signal, when a section indicated as occupied is within the path r

Abstract: A vehicle control system monitors vehicle passage at predetermined locations. Each time a vehicle passes a predetermined location a window is created for passage of that vehicle at the next predetermined location. So long as the vehicle actually passes the next location during the window the vehicle is allowed to continue its travel. As a further check each location ensures that safe separation is maintained between vehicles by allowing continued travel only if a minimum time separation is maintained. The system also responds to coupled vehicles by detecting that the time separation is below a predetermined value indicative of coupled vehicles and thus minimum time separation need not be enforced. In one embodiment, passage of a vehicle outside of a time window results in immediate protective action such as by de-energizing the power to each of the vehicles in the system to prevent violation of minimum safe separation rules.

Abstract: The control system operates vehicles over a right-of-way divided into a plurality of zones and selects the direction of traffic along the right-of-way. The presence of a vehicle is sensed when it enters the zone from either direction and the occupancy of the zone is registered. The occupancy registration is indicated by a magnetically actuated switch to operatively control restrictive aspects in accordance with selected number of zones behind the leading vehicle relative to the selected direction of traffic.