Patents Assigned to Signals, Inc.
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Patent number: 6688559Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
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Patent number: 6663052Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
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Patent number: 6648276Abstract: An improved railroad switch apparatus includes a switch machine, a locking system lug, a detection system lug, a lock rod connecting rod, a point detector connecting rod, and a pair of movable rails. The locking system lug is mounted on a pair of lock rods of a switch machine, and the detection system lug is mounted on a point detector rod of the switch machine. The locking system lug includes a groove that receives the lock rod connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. Similarly, the detection system lug includes a groove that receives the point detector connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. The locking system lug and the detection system lug each include a pair of opposed convex retention surfaces formed on the groove thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Kevin M. McQuistian
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Patent number: 6616291Abstract: The present invention provides an under water lighting assembly including a housing and a plurality of LEDs mounted on a board within the housing. The LEDs are arranged in a plurality of banks such that are powered respectively. The banks are circular and concentric. A non-board programmable process or allows independent color switching and color modulation of the LED arrays.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Rosstech Signals, Inc.Inventor: David A. Love
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Patent number: 6586671Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a shunt or tunable joint coupler (TJC) that receives a railroad track signal from a railroad track wire. A conductive support post having a lower portion inserted into a ground surface provides above-ground mounting of the track signal terminal device. The track signal terminal device is mounted onto the support post in an electrically insulated manner. A block terminal attached to the conductive support post includes electrical contact points for electrically coupling the railroad track wire with leads from the track signal terminal device and further includes electrical contact points for electrically coupling a lightning arrestor with the conductive support post. A removable housing is attached to the conductive support post for providing an exterior encasement for the block terminal and the track signal terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Interrail Signal, Inc.Inventors: James Frank Kelley, Roger Don Owens, Jim F. Allarding, Michael Dwayne Hutson
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Patent number: 6585194Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
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Patent number: 6578799Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
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Publication number: 20030106967Abstract: A modular sensor apparatus for detecting the location of a movable track point includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor disposed on a sensor mount that is movable with respect to a frame that is mounted on a switch machine. The secondary sensor is offset from the primary sensor in order to permit the secondary sensor to detect the need for imminent readjustment of the track point prior to the time at which the track point becomes maladjusted and in need of immediate readjustment. The sensor mount is threadably adjustable with respect to the frame, whereby once the primary sensor has detected the position of the movable track point when it is disposed against a fixed stock rail, the sensor mount can be moved a fixed threshold distance by rotating a thumbwheel a fixed number of turns.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
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Patent number: 6572056Abstract: A system for controlling a train's approach on a right-of-way to a grade crossing such that a uniform warning time is ensured comprising: a communication based train control scheme including a computer situated on the train; a device for detecting the presence of the train at a first control point on the right-of-way and for determining the train's speed thereat; a device for activating the gate at the grade crossing responsive to the train being at a second control point on the right-of-way wherein the second control point is based on the determined speed such that a uniform warning time is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Alstom Signaling, Inc.Inventors: James Arthur Berry, Naor Wallach
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Publication number: 20030045244Abstract: A method and device for using a single antenna for simultaneously receiving radio frequency signals in a first radio frequency band and radio signals in a second radio frequency band different from the first radio frequency band.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: Allied Signal, Inc.Inventors: Brian Lindemann, Tuan Nguyen
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Patent number: 6494409Abstract: A solid state code following track relay receives pulsating rail current from a railway code transmitter. The track relay includes first and second inputs structured to receive the rail current. Two Hall effect digital current sensors each have a coil and an output, which responds to current flowing through the coil. The coils of the current sensors are electrically connected in series between the first and second inputs and are structured to receive the rail current. The outputs of the current sensors are structured to turn on and off in response to the rail current. A circuit including dual one-shot multivibrators, which are triggered by positive and negative going edges from the respective current sensors, and a flip-flop, which is set and reset by the outputs of the respective multivibrators, determines that each of the current sensors is functional. Two solid state outputs are structured to follow the rail current.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Raymond C. Franke
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Patent number: 6484974Abstract: A switch machine electronic controller includes a point detecting circuit having Namur sensors for detecting an indication rod target in first and second point positions, and a lock detecting circuit having Namur sensors for detecting a lock box target in first and second lock positions. A microprocessor processes the signals to provide Normal and Reverse outputs. The Normal output is enabled when the first point and lock detection signals have values within a predetermined ON value range, and the second point and lock detection signals have values within a predetermined OFF value range. The reverse output is enabled when the second point and lock detection signals have values within the ON value range, and the first point and lock detection signals have values within the OFF value range. Both outputs are disabled when any of the signals has a value that corresponds to a shorted, open or indeterminate value range.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventors: Raymond C. Franke, Robert P. Bozio, Leonard M. Wydotis
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Patent number: 6474605Abstract: An improved point detector sleeve includes a tube portion and an adjustment portion that are integrally formed with one another as a monolithic member, whereby the point detector sleeve is substantially free of joints between the tube portion and the adjustment portion. The tube portion includes a beveled surface formed thereon, and the adjustment portion includes an internally threaded region formed thereon. In accordance with one method of manufacturing the improved point detector sleeve, a first end of a cylindrical pipe formed with a cylindrical cavity is cut with a rotary cutting tool to form a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotary cutting tool advantageously closely follows the cavity to form the cylindrical inner surface without the rotary cutting tool radially “walking” away from a central longitudinal axis of the pipe. In another embodiment, the pipe receives therein an insert having an externally threaded region and an internally threaded surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventors: Leonard M. Wydotis, Fred E. Woodlief, Kevin M. McQuistian
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Patent number: 6471163Abstract: An improved ergonomic hand throw arm for use in conjunction with a railroad switch machine includes an elongated shank and a head disposed thereon. The shank includes a longitudinal axis, and the head includes a first opening and a second opening that are each offset in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis. The head includes an elongated rib that is disposed between the first and second openings and that extends in a direction that is substantially parallel with and may be in register with the longitudinal axis of the shank. The first and second openings are each elongated and are sized to permit the entry of a gloved hand therein yet resist the entry of a toe of a conventional steel toed boot or shoe that is manufactured according to Standard Z41 of the American National Standards Institute.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
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Patent number: 6439513Abstract: A passive detection system for a levitated vehicle includes track circuits. Each track circuit includes a detection loop having a cable with a first end, a length and a second end. The track circuit also includes a transmitter electrically connected to the first end of the cable and adapted to source a current to the detection loop, and a receiver electrically connected to the second end of the cable and adapted to sense the current from the detection loop. An inductor core includes two openings adapted to receive the length of the cable and two openings adapted to avoid the first and second ends of the cable. The inductor core is adapted to change the sensed current of the receiver, in order to detect a presence of the levitated vehicle at the detection loop. A member is adapted to support the inductor core from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Robert D. Pascoe
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Patent number: 6427949Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Alstom Signaling, Inc.Inventors: Mark Alan Hager, Michael F. Towey, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020096604Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: Alstom Signaling, Inc.Inventors: Mark Alan Hager, Michael F. Towey
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Patent number: 6397353Abstract: A system for testing a hardware unit containing sensitive information, while inhibiting access to that information, includes a secure program in an Automated Test Station and an interface circuit. The test station has a programmed processor, as well as generating equipment which generates pseudo test signals and measuring devices which measure the response of the unit to actual test signals. Within the processor of the test station there is a test program which does not indicate the sensitive information and a run-time program that interprets the test-program to generate encoded commands for carrying out the test. The interface circuit receives the encoded commands and the pseudo test signals from the test station, decodes the encoded commands and generates the actual test signals. These actual test signals are routed to the unit under test by the interface circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Allied Signal Inc.Inventors: Leslie Arthur Orlidge, Luis Gude, Stephen Thomas Maio
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Patent number: 6382567Abstract: A method of point detection is for use with a railway switch machine including a housing, a point detector bar positionable in a normal point position and a reverse point position, and a slide lock bar positionable in a normal locked position and a reverse locked position. The method includes providing point detecting sensors in the housing adjacent the point detector bar; detecting with the point detecting sensors the position of the point detector bar; generating by the point detecting sensors a point detection signal representative of the position of the point detector bar; and delivering the point detection signal to a processing device for determining if the point detector bar is in the normal point position, the reverse point position, or in neither the normal point position nor the reverse point position.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventor: Raymond C. Franke
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Patent number: 6366041Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a reversible motor of a railway switch machine includes a conditional power source having an output voltage. A motor control circuit includes inputs for inputting the voltage from the power source, inputs for inputting a normal signal and a reverse signal, two output terminals for electrical connection to two input terminals of the reversible motor, and a relay logic circuit including a pair of double pole, double throw relays. The contacts of these relays: (a) output the voltage to the two output terminals in response to the normal signal, (b) output an inverted polarity of the voltage to the two output terminals in response to the reverse signal, and (c) short the two output terminals in response to absence of both of the normal and reverse signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Bozio, Raymond C. Franke