Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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 means 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 means 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.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication device, a second communication device, and a communication channel, such as modems and a telephone line, between the devices. The first device includes: a first memory for storing first information, a first processor, and a first communication controller for transmitting a message. The first processor periodically determines a plurality of values, and a count of any of those values which changed after a previous determination of those values. The first processor also alternatively selects for transmission in the message, as a function of the count, either (i) all of the values, or (ii) the values which changed. The second device includes: a second memory for storing second information, a second communication controller for receiving the message, and a second processor. The second processor alternatively updates the stored second information with either (i) all of the values, or (ii) the values which changed of the message.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a railway switch machine includes a power source for a voltage; a selector for providing the voltage to a reversible motor of the switch machine in a normal state, and for providing a reverse polarity of the voltage to the reversible motor in a reverse state; a first transistor for switching reverse current flowing through the reversible motor; a first diode electrically connected in parallel with the first transistor for conducting normal current for the reversible motor; a second transistor for switching normal current flowing through the reversible motor; a second diode electrically connected in parallel with the second transistor for conducting reverse current for the reversible motor; and a circuit for controlling the first and second transistors based upon the position or operating mode of the railway switch machine.

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.

Abstract: A programmable device driver and system thereof are provided for segregating functions and hardware in a railway signaling environment The device driver includes a central processor with a memory and a timebase which is programmable to perform a function. The central processor may be detachable from the device driver. The central processor may be encapsulated in resin or potted to provide resistance to the environment. The device driver may be provided with voltage and current sensing inputs, a power input connected to a power conditioning circuit, one or more outputs, a conditional power supply, and mounting brackets. Each input may be provided with surge protection. The device driver may be provided with terminals for the inputs and outputs or pigtail leads for increased moisture resistance. The device driver also may be provided with a serial port for communicating with other programmable device drivers, a multifunction central processor, or other external device.

Abstract: A crossing guard maintenance system is disclosed for use with a disabled crossing guard control system. The crossing guard control system has a motor mechanically coupled to a crossing guard arm and a counterweight arm. The motor is used for moving the crossing guard arm between up and down positions. The maintenance system includes a function switch for alternating between normal and maintenance modes of the system. In maintenance mode, a diode is electrically connected to the motor to form a motor/diode circuit that provides a path for current when the polarity of the motor is reversed and it operates as a generator. The maintenance system also includes an electrical power source connected to a momentary switch for providing power to the motor. A method for using the maintenance system is also disclosed for use in repairing a disabled crossing guard mechanism.

Abstract: A point detection system is provided for use in a typical switch machine with a typical indication system, wherein a point detector bar is slidably captivated within a point detector sleeve, and wherein a target that is integrally engaged with the point detector bar is sensed by at least one sensing device, thereby to detect movement of the point detector bar. The point detector sleeve is supported by a track side bearing affixed to a track side wall of the switch machine, and by a field side bearing affixed to an opposing wall of the switch machine. The point detector bar extends outside the switch machine from only the track side bearing, thereby eliminating the bearings and the pinch point between the hand throw lever and the two piece point detector bar that otherwise extended from the related art switch machine. The sensing device may be mounted upon a slide mechanism to adjust the sensing device relative to the target.

Abstract: A fixed rail mounted railroad switch point indicator is provided, wherein proximity detectors are mounted to the fixed stock rail to sense the position of the switch relative to those stock rails. Preferably, eddy current sensors are used as the proximity sensors to indicate the distance of the switch points relative to the fixed rails. A microprocessor converts a current reading from the proximity detectors into the distance measurement, such as by indicating an "on/off" state of the sensor. Additionally, the microprocessor provides information as to the operation of the sensors to provide the reliability of the signals received.

Abstract: A railroad switch machine gear box having a low vertical profile is provided, wherein a compound gear rotatably mounted within a housing along a first vertical axis cooperatively engages an adjacent main crank gear. The main crank gear is rotatably mounted within the housing about a main crank shaft that extends vertically within the gear box housing along a second vertical axis that is different than the first vertical axis. A bevel gear fixedly mounted to a hand throw shaft rotatably mounted within the housing along a first horizontal axis cooperatively engages the compound gear, thereby to rotate the compound gear when the hand throw shaft is rotated, typically with a hand throw lever affixed to the hand throw shaft external to the housing. The hand throw shaft may be rotatable about an eccentric shaft that is independently mounted and rotatable with the housing along the first horizontal axis.

Abstract: A clamp for securing apparatus such as end-of-train equipment to a railroad coupler head includes a first finger member that is mounted to pivot about a pivot pin in scissors-like manner between a fixed second and third finger member affixed to a housing, a threaded rod and cooperating piston for pivoting the first finger member away from the fixed second and third finger members, a rail member for abutting against an outside surface of the coupler head, and a crank and handle for tightening the grip of the first, second and third fingers on the inner surfaces of the core hole when the crank is rotated.

Abstract: The vital driver utilizes rectification and subsequent synchronized inverting of the rectified power, which is then fed to a transformer. Failed operation, which permits current having a DC component to reach the load transformer, causes an increase in the current which is sensed by a current sensor. The high current can be detected by a fuse. Some embodiments use primary modules having a rectifier section with sufficient power to run a number of secondary units, each powering an individual load. The synchronizing inverter can utilize optically coupled solid state switches.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a display unit includes phototransistors for detecting light emitted from a plurality of selectively energizable light-emitting diode (LED) segments in an energized state and for generating a voltage which is representative of the light emitted from the LED segments in the energized state. A glass filter filters ambient light from the phototransistors and passes the light emitted from the LED segments in the energized state. A comparator for each of the LED segments generates a comparison signal, with the comparison signal being representative of a comparison between a predetermined reference voltage and the voltage for each of the LED segments. A conditional power supply conditionally energizes the LED segments in response to an energizing signal. A routine of a central processing unit generates display data.

Abstract: A motion detector for detecting movement of a rail based vehicle and the direction of that movement is provided. The motion detector can be integral with or attachable to an end-of-train unit and can include a single axis accelerometer mounted at an angle from the rails for detecting acceleration in both the lateral and vertical directions. A systems controller, which can include an analyzer, can be provided to receive and analyze output from the accelerometer to determine a motion state and a direction. A power controller can be provided for supplying power to the accelerometer on an intermittent basis to conserve power. A calibration unit can be provided to both initially calibrate and to subsequently recalibrate the accelerometer after a stopped motion state is detected. Additionally, an input/output port and an output driver for conditioning the signal for output to the end-of-train unit can be provided.

Abstract: A railway switch circuit controller has a housing enclosing a laterally movable platform with a first and second target affixed thereupon. A first and second proximity sensor within the housing is positioned to detect the first and second target, respectively, such that the proximity sensor upon detection of the respective target may provide a signal. The platform is connected to a point detector connecting rod of a railway switch, thereby to be movable relative to the movement of the point detector connecting rod. In a first preferred embodiment, the platform may be cooperatively engaged with a rotational drive shaft that is connected to the point detector connecting rod, thereby to move laterally when the drive shaft is rotated by lateral movement of the rod. In the first preferred embodiment, the first and second proximity sensor may be fixed within the housing and the first and second target may be adjustable laterally within the platform towards and away from the other target, respectively.

Abstract: Two-wire signal transmitter and method in which a very low-level Alternating Circuit (AC) input signal sensed at a remote circuit at a first end of a signal path is added to a low-level Direct Current (DC) bias signal provided by a local circuit that is located at a second end of the signal path. In a preferred embodiment, the remote circuit is electrically coupled to and powered by the local circuit through a two-wire path interconnection, typically a shielded twisted-pair cable. The DC bias signal has sufficient level to overcome minimum ratings of electrical contacts, thereby to pass the sensed very low-level AC input signal reliably through the poor electrical contacts that are used, for instance, for connecting electronic circuits that run the length of a railway train.