Abstract: A surge suppression circuit for a track circuit is provided. The surge suppression circuit comprises a first surge protection device including a first pair of silicon avalanche diodes and a second surge protection device including a second pair of silicon avalanche diodes. The first surge protection device is connected on a first connection line between a first terminal of a railroad signaling electronic equipment to be protected from a surge and a first terminal of a first rail of two physical rails. The second surge protection device is connected on a second connection line between a second terminal of the railroad signaling electronic equipment and a second terminal of a second rail of the two physical rails. The first surge protection device and the second surge protection device are connected to an earth ground terminal.

Abstract: An on board unit (OBU) of a train may determine that a trip or shift has ended and may initiate a train log-off procedure. The OBU may monitor for at least one alert condition during performance of the log-off procedure, the at least one alert condition comprising a condition wherein unauthorized train movement is possible. In response to detecting the at least one alert condition, the OBU may report the at least one alert condition and disable the train log-off procedure until the OBU determines that the at least one alert condition is resolved. In response to failing to detect the at least one alert condition and/or in response to determining that the at least one alert condition is resolved, the OBU may complete the train log-off procedure.

Abstract: A railroad signal includes a mounting bracket and a signal head, the signal head being mounted to another structure by the mounting bracket, wherein the signal head includes a signal housing, a plurality of signal lights positioned in the signal housing, and a protection device for reducing or eliminating wind forces, the protection device comprising a snow shield and at least one wind guide element.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method for predicting a state of a hall sensor for a motor having a plurality of hall sensors associated therewith. The example method includes receiving a previous state of the hall sensor. The example method further includes detecting a current state of the hall sensor. The example method further includes predicting a predicted next state of the hall sensor based on the previous state of the hall sensor, the current state of the hall sensor, and a direction of a shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A system for determining alignment of a signal includes a light assembly comprising a light source operated by an electronic circuit, a first position sensor configured to measure a geographical direction of the light assembly, a second position sensor configured to measure a tilt angle of the light assembly, and a light communication device configured to receive measurements of the first position sensor and the second position sensor, and wherein the light communication device is configured to evaluate the measurements and determine alignment of the light assembly based on predefined tolerance thresholds for the geographical direction and tilt angle.

Abstract: A relay assembly comprises a vital relay used in a vital circuit and configured to be rack-installed in an equipment room in a railroad case or a railroad housing for providing a modular solid-state current-limiting. The relay assembly further comprises a plurality of vital relay contacts to which a current flow is restricted by a single supply solid-state current limiter. The relay assembly further comprises a relay socket base assembly coupled to the vital relay. The relay socket base assembly includes a relay socket base including a plurality of vital relay contact prongs, a plug assembly including a plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) mounted contact terminals, and a plurality of contact terminals that provide a connection between the plurality of vital relay contact prongs and the plurality of printed circuit board (PCB) mounted contact terminals. The relay assembly further comprises an ancillary electrical control module.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for vital train tracking using an ultra-wideband ranging system are disclosed. The system includes a train disposed on a track, the train having at least two onboard UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a plurality of wayside UWB beacons disposed along the track, a subset of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons being connected to a wayside communications network, wherein at least two of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons are configured to receive the unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a central computer in communication with the wayside communications network, wherein the central computer is configured to determine a position of the train on the track based at least in part upon known location of the at least two wayside UWB beacons.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method for overspeed protection of a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes monitoring, by an overspeed protection circuit, a voltage across a first Zener diode and a second Zener diode. An anode of the first Zener diode is connected to an anode of the second Zener diode. The method further includes, responsive to determining that a Zener voltage threshold is exceeded, allowing a current to flow into a gate pin of a triac. The triac controls the motor of the gate crossing mechanism.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method for thermal lockout for a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes monitoring a motor current across a sense resistor of the motor. The method further includes determining a present thermal capacity unit (TCU) at a time interval based on the motor current across the sense resistor. The method further includes determining whether the motor is at a thermal limit by comparing the present TCU to an expected TCU. The method further includes responsive to determining that the motor is at the thermal limit, causing initiating a hard fault.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method for direction control of a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes providing, by a field-effect transistor (FET) driver, a first voltage via a high output to an open contact of a first relay and to a closed contact of a second relay. The first voltage causes a shaft of the motor to turn in a first direction. The method further includes providing, by the FET driver, a second voltage via a low output to a closed contact of the first relay and to an open contact of the second relay. The second voltage causes the shaft of the motor to turn in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An automated warning time inspection system (5) and method to test a warning time (45) at a railroad grade crossing (25) on each route for a train (30). The automated warning time inspection system (5) comprises a track circuit (12) configured to activate when a train (30) enters the track circuit (12), an event recorder (17) configured to record a first log time (35(1)) for activation of a crossing warning system (15), a camera (20) to detect a first motion detection indication (40(1)) in a motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) if there is any motion and an island circuit (22) to detect a presence of the train (30) as the train (30) enters an island (42). The event recorder (17) to record a third log time (35(3)) for switch position indications when present. The event recorder (17) to record a fourth log time (35(4)) for activation of the island circuit (22).

Abstract: A modular lamp system (200) for a railroad crossing warning device includes a crossing lamp (210) and a crossing lamp base (220) controllable by a wayside control device (40), and a module (230) comprising an electronic circuit (250), wherein the crossing lamp base (220) is configured to provide power to the crossing lamp (210) and the module (230), and wherein, when the crossing lamp (210), the crossing lamp base (220) and the module (230) are assembled and in operation, the crossing lamp (210) performs a first action and the module (230) performs a second action, which is different from the first action.

Abstract: There is described systems and methods for managing an electrical surge of railway signaling equipment. A breaker includes a mechanical reset button that shifts positions in response to detecting the electrical surge exceeding a threshold amperage. An opto-isolator deenergizes in response to the position shift of the mechanical reset button. The event recorder transmits an alarm signal to a remote office system in response to the deenergizing of the opto-isolator.

Abstract: A traffic control system (100) includes a railroad crossing control system (10) with a constant warning time device (40), a wheel sensing system (120) with a sensor (122) connected to a rail (20a, 20b) of a railroad track (20) at a predetermined position (P), and a communication network (140) interfacing with the railroad crossing control system (10) and the wheel sensing system (120) and adapted to transmit data. The wheel sensing system (120) provides speed values of a rail vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20), wherein the speed values are transmitted to the railroad crossing control system (10) via the communication network (140) for producing a preemption signal for the traffic signal control system (110). Further, a method for providing a preemption signal for a traffic signal control system (110) is described.

Abstract: A railroad communication system (100, 200) includes a wayside control device (130) in communication with one or more railroad crossing warning device(s) (140, 145) located at a railroad grade crossing (125), wherein the one or more railroad crossing warning device(s) (140, 145) are activated in response to a signal of the wayside control device (130). An autonomous motor vehicle (150) approaches the railroad grade crossing (125), wherein the wayside control device (130) is configured to communicate information in response to an activation of the one or more railroad crossing warning device(s) (140, 145), and wherein the autonomous motor vehicle (150) is configured to receive the information.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system includes a pivoting wiper arm (110), a wiper blade (120) for wiping a surface (102), and a connector assembly (130) coupling the pivoting wiper arm (110) to the wiper blade (120). The connector system (130) includes a first connecting member (140) directly coupled to the wiper arm (110) and a second connecting member (150) directly coupled to the wiper blade (120). The first connecting member (140) and the second connecting member (150) are movably coupled to each other, wherein a position of the first connecting member (140) relative to the second connecting member (150) is based on an angular position of the pivoting wiper arm (110).

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatuses and methods for removal of a shaft bearing from a gate crossing mechanism. A bearing support includes support apertures and is positioned about the shaft bearing. A bearing ring includes ring apertures. A bearing tool includes keys in which each key has a shape allowing insertion through a ring aperture and a support aperture. The bearing tool shifts each key inward toward the shaft bearing. The bearing ring is rotated in a circular direction relative to the keys. The bearing tool withdraws the shaft bearing from the bearing support.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) shielding and monitoring system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) (12, 14, 82, 92), multiple optical detectors (20, 84, 94) for detecting a light output of the plurality of LEDs (12, 14, 82, 92), and a LED shield (30, 110) with multiple compartments (38, 114) for receiving the multiple optical detectors (20, 84, 94). The LED shield (30, 110) is configured such that each compartment (38, 114) receives an optical detector (20, 84, 94), and wherein each compartment (38, 114) is configured such that the optical detector (20, 84, 94) within the compartment (38, 114) detects the light output of a LED (12, 14, 82, 92) of the multiple LEDs (12, 14, 82, 92) without detecting light output other than the light output of the LED (12, 14, 82, 92). Further, wayside LED signals including a LED shielding and monitoring system are provided.

Abstract: A disconnect/test terminal block may include a body including a front side and a back side including a protruding part. The block may include at least one circuit element disposed in the body. The block may include at least one case wire terminal disposed on the front side of the body and coupled to the at least one internal circuit. The block may include at least one field cable terminal disposed on the protruding part and coupled to the at least one internal circuit.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system (100) includes a pivoting wiper arm (110); a wiper blade (120) for wiping a surface (102); and a connector assembly (128) coupling the pivoting wiper arm (110) to the wiper blade (120), the connector assembly (128) comprising a gear drive (130) including at least one drive gear (132) and at least one positioning cog (136), wherein the gear drive (130) rotates the wiper blade (120) based on an angular position of the pivoting wiper arm (110) such that an arc of a motion path (320) of the wiper blade (120) is reduced.