Reciprocating Armature Patents (Class 246/225)
  • Patent number: 6062514
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. McQuistian
  • Patent number: 5620156
    Abstract: A device for operating a switch of a railway track including switch blades. The device includes a drive module, a linear operating module coupled to and driven by the drive module for generating a linear movement and at least one locking module interconnected between the linear operating module and the switch blades. The locking module transfers the linear movement from the linear operating module to the switch blades, thereby moving the switch blades across a longitudinal direction of the railway track from a first position to a second position. The at least one locking module also locks the switch blades in the first position or the second position independently of the linear operating module. A girder box forms a sleeper of the railway track for housing the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module. The device also includes apparatus for joining the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Signal AB
    Inventors: Clarence Berggren, Lars Eklund, Uno Norrg.ang.rd