Abstract: A vehicle flow monitoring system for detecting both a car count and direction of movement of vehicles passing a point of interest. The vehicle flow monitoring system generally includes a car counter which may include a microcontroller and a pair of distance sensors. Each of the distance sensors is oriented toward a unique point of interest. Each of the distance sensors includes a threshold distance reading which is used to detect whether a vehicle has passed underneath the car counter. The system may determine direction of travel of the vehicle based on which of the distance sensors is passed by the vehicle first. The microcontroller may assign an Event ID to each time a vehicle passes each of the sensors, with the Event ID being used to identify when and if the vehicle should be counted, or whether a non-vehicle object has passed the car counter.

Abstract: A vehicle flow monitoring system for detecting both a car count and direction of movement of vehicles passing a point of interest. The vehicle flow monitoring system generally includes a car counter which may include a microcontroller and a pair of distance sensors. Each of the distance sensors is oriented toward a unique point of interest. Each of the distance sensors includes a threshold distance reading which is used to detect whether a vehicle has passed underneath the car counter. The system may determine direction of travel of the vehicle based on which of the distance sensors is passed by the vehicle first. The microcontroller may assign an Event ID to each time a vehicle passes each of the sensors, with the Event ID being used to identify when and if the vehicle should be counted, or whether a non-vehicle object has passed the car counter.

Abstract: A vehicle flow monitoring system for detecting both a car count and direction of movement of vehicles passing a point of interest. The vehicle flow monitoring system generally includes a car counter which may include a microcontroller and a pair of distance sensors. Each of the distance sensors is oriented toward a unique point of interest. Each of the distance sensors includes a threshold distance reading which is used to detect whether a vehicle has passed underneath the car counter. The system may determine direction of travel of the vehicle based on which of the distance sensors is passed by the vehicle first. The microcontroller may assign an Event ID to each time a vehicle passes each of the sensors, with the Event ID being used to identify when and if the vehicle should be counted, or whether a non-vehicle object has passed the car counter.

Abstract: A vehicle flow monitoring system for detecting both a car count and direction of movement of vehicles passing a point of interest. The vehicle flow monitoring system generally includes a car counter which may include a microcontroller and a pair of distance sensors. Each of the distance sensors is oriented toward a unique point of interest. Each of the distance sensors includes a threshold distance reading which is used to detect whether a vehicle has passed underneath the car counter. The system may determine direction of travel of the vehicle based on which of the distance sensors is passed by the vehicle first. The microcontroller may assign an Event ID to each time a vehicle passes each of the sensors, with the Event ID being used to identify when and if the vehicle should be counted, or whether a non-vehicle object has passed the car counter.

Abstract: An intelligent door lock system is coupled to a door at a dwelling. A first sensor is at the dwelling. The first sensor is coupled to a drive shaft of a lock device to assist in locking and unlocking a lock of a lock device at a door. The lock device is coupled to the first sensor and the lock device includes a bolt. An engine, an energy source and a memory are coupled together. A magnetic sensor provides a reading or measurement used to determine a door open or closed status.

Abstract: Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.

Abstract: A rail crossover control system for a rail track section is disclosed. The rail track section has first and second rail tracks, a crossover track section extending between the first and second rail tracks, at least one first set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the first track or is diverted from the first track onto the crossover track section, and at least one second set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the second track or is diverted from the second track onto the crossover track section. The system comprises at least one interlocking control unit arranged to control the first and second sets of rail switches according to determined train routes, and an obstruction detector arranged to detect presence of an obstruction on the crossover track section and generate an obstruction signal when an obstruction is detected.

Abstract: A system for reliable detection of an approaching train and warning the roadway workers in proximity of the track is described. The system comprises at least one train detector cone (TDC) deployed along a side of an active railroad track and one or more personnel warning cones (PWC) placed near the work site, the cones configured in a wireless mesh network to provide redundant communication links. Detection of a train by the train detector cone is transmitted to the personnel warning cones which provide audible and visual warnings to nearby roadway workers. The system also includes a remote server for centralized tracking and monitoring of the train detector cones and personnel warning cones.

Abstract: Rail vehicle (1) having rail wheels (3,4) accommodated to guide the rail vehicle along a railway track (2) and said vehicle comprising means for detection of a flaw or flaws in the railway track, wherein the rail vehicle is provided with a noncontact vibrometer (9,10) which is arranged to measure vibrational movement of the railway track surface.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an intelligent train wheel sensor including a permanent magnetic coil and a low-pass filter circuit, an amplifying and shaping circuit, an analog/digital conversion circuit, and an output interface and interface conversion circuit, which are connected to each other in turn. The analog/digital conversion circuit and the output interface and interface conversion circuit being connected to a micro-processing control unit. The permanent magnetic coil is further connected in turn to a rectifier and filter circuit, a power storage circuit, a charging control circuit and rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries supply power to the low-pass filter circuit, the amplifying and shaping circuit, the analog/digital conversion circuit, the micro-processing control unit and the output interface and interface conversion circuit. Such intelligent sensor has high reliability, requires no external power supply, can be installed and maintained conveniently.

Abstract: A vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on-track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on-track vehicles.

Abstract: A wheel sensor that is particularly suited for track release signaling systems has at least one sensor device having an AC-fed sensor coil of an electric oscillating circuit sensitive to an inductive interaction of the sensor coil with passing wheels of rail vehicles. A further spool is connected to the sensor coil for suppressing external interference fields in a counter circuit. The further coil is arranged underneath the sensor coil and a spacing distance between the further coil and the sensor coil is at least one third of the inside diameter of the sensor coil.

Abstract: A vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on-track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on-track vehicles.

Abstract: An vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on track vehicles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the occupancy status of a track section, in particular following a restart of an axle counting system, in which a counting-in axle counting point is provided at the start and a counting-out axle counting point is provided at the end of the track section. The occupancy status is determined by a comparison of the counting values currently ascertained by these axle counting points. The current counting value of the counting-in axle counting point and the current counting value of the counting-out axle counting point are stored following clearing of the track section. To determine the new occupancy status later, the values thus stored are called on together with the counting values current at the time.

Abstract: A system for detecting and classifying a wheel of a rail vehicle traveling on a railway track includes a plurality of wheel detectors coupled to one rail of the railway track and configured to detect presence of the wheel and to generate signals representative thereof. A processing system is coupled to the wheel detectors and configured to receive and process the signals. The processing system is configured to classify the wheel based on a speed independent classification value calculated based on the signals from the wheel detectors.

Abstract: A railcar presence detector including magnetic field sensors spaced along the length of a rail track for detecting magnetic field disturbances caused by ferromagnetic objects, such as railcars, passing along the rail track. Each of the magnetic field sensors generates an output signal that is received by a control unit. The control unit compares the output signal from each of the magnetic field sensors to a detection threshold and controls the position of a contact member dependent upon the comparison between the output signal and the detection threshold. Each of the magnetic field sensors includes a test device that is selectively operable to modify the magnetic field near the magnetic field sensor to test the operation of the magnetic field sensor. During operation of the system including the magnetic field sensor, the control unit can automatically activate the test device to assure that each of the magnetic field sensors are operating properly.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a transducer to a train rail comprises a bracket having a base which engages the foot of the rail. An upright arm at one end of the base extends adjacent the web of the rail and carries a threaded adjuster which engages the transducer and urges it into contact with the rail. The clamp is sufficiently resilient so that, when the adjuster is tightened to a predetermined extent, both temporary and permanent de formation of the rail can be accommodated without difficulty.

Abstract: A method is proposed for setting an output voltage of a receiving circuit (5) of a receiving head (4) of a rail contact and a rail contact system for executing the method, at least one receiving voltage tapped from the receiving head (4) of the rail contact being superposed by at least one adjustment voltage to produce the output voltage. The adjustment voltage is tapped by a transformer circuit (20) from a transmitting circuit (2) of the rail contact as a voltage proportional to an electric current flowing in a transmitting coil (7) of the rail contact.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of wheels of a rail vehicle includes first and second Hall Effect devices, a magnet for supplying a magnetic field to the first and second Hall Effect devices, the first and second Hall Effect devices and the magnet being mounted adjacent to the rail, whereby a railway vehicle wheel changes the magnetic field in the Hall Effect devices to produce wheel indication signals, and a processing circuit for receiving the wheel indication signals from the first and second Hall Effect devices and for producing an output signal in response to the wheel indication signals. A method of detecting the presence of a wheel is also provided.

Abstract: Railway wheel detection and counter and block control systems are disclosed using magnetic coils to detect wheels via measuring eddy current losses induced by a railway wheel as it disturbs the coil's magnetic field. Information from the coils is measured and processed using combination of analog and digital signal processing which processing automatically tests and calibrates all components to provide fail-safe operation. Virtual blocks are used to establish train presence, speed, and direction which parameters are used to provide block control systems.

Abstract: A passive magnetic detector is provided at ground level or buried below ground level in between rails of a railroad track at a distance from the level crossing for detecting magnetic field disturbances caused by ferromagnetic objects passing overhead on the track. Magnetic field reversals are detected in the passive detector signal. The reversal signal is analyzed and a train presence output signal is generated for controlling a level crossing gate system or other such crossing warning system. For parallel tracks, pairs of passive magnetic field detectors detect objects over each track and the reversals are analyzed to check that an inbound train does not sneak by undetected as an outbound train is leaving and passing over the same detector pair. At the level crossing, static magnetic field detectors are used to ensure that no equipment remains on the island after detecting that the moving train has left the crossing, so that the crossing gates can be safely lifted as soon as possible.

Abstract: A model railroad car position indicator includes a sensor receptive to the presence of a model railroad car on a track. Control circuitry determines the location of the car relative to a predetermined position on the track and approves initiation of a model train process if the car is within a range of acceptable positions for initiating the process. A preferred embodiment includes circuitry for determining whether the car velocity is less than a predetermined threshold velocity. In this embodiment, approval of initiation of the model train process is conditioned on both the car position being acceptable and the car velocity being acceptable. An indicator provides feedback to the model train operator for manual initiation of the model train process. Alternatively, the control circuit may automatically initiate the process.

Abstract: In a system for determining the spacing between axles on a vehicle, problems associated with the determination in a stop-and-go situation are overcome with a sensor array system wherein a first sensor is spaced from an array of sensors by a predetermined distance. The total length of the span of all the sensors must be greater than largest axle spacing on the vehicle to be measured. When two axles simultaneously trigger sensors, those triggered sensors' positions are sent to a computer and the axles spacing is computed and recorded. The system operates independently of the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A railroad flat wheel detector having a housing anchored to one side of a railroad rail enclosing an arrayed plurality of light source-photodetector pairs whose respective optic axes are tangent to the locus of the lower rim edge of passing wheels rolling along the track. The photodetector outputs are operatively connected to trigger a flat wheel alarm when the increased wheel flange rim overlap with the supporting rail, caused by a flat sector of a passing wheel, obscures a portion of the light and thereby briefly reduces the light intensity sensed by one or more of the plurality of photodetectors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for sensing train wheels which employs a slotted detector bar. Optical resistive and piezoresistive strain gauges may be coupled to the detector bar as well as enhanced mechanical and electrical components. Optional equipment including an optical sensor, and pulse and frequency modulators improve noise immunity and reduce power consumption.

Abstract: In a railway signalling system, the length of a vehicle or train is computed by on board measurement of the distance travelled between detecting the passage of the front of the vehicle or train past a fixed point and detecting the passage of the rear of the vehicle or train past the same fixed point or a fixed point a known distance from the first.

Abstract: A train detection system is disclosed which works on the axle-counting principle and in which preprocessing units each containing a two-microprocessor system are associated with the individual detection points. Along the track, a major number of preprocessing units are connected with a central evaluation unit which interrogates the preprocessing units for stored counts on a cyclic basis. This interrogation is performed separately for each microprocessor of a preprocessing unit. In addition to containing counts, data telegrams transmitted to the evaluation unit include functional characters which make it possible to check the correct functioning of the detection points and preprocessing units at short intervals.

Abstract: A railway detection system in which the presence of a train is detected by means of first inductive loop apparatus. When the train is detected second inductive loop apparatus is enabled to detect the passage of wheels of the train.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring loads transmitted via wheels to a track from vehicles travelling thereon, comprises means responsive to load at a plurality of approximately equally spaced locations on a selected portion of the track at least about equal in length to the circumference of a typical wheel passing thereover, for providing a signal that is a function of the largest load on the track from each wheel, means responsive to the signal for comparing each largest load with at least one selected load level, and means responsive to the load comparing means for identifying each wheel from which any load greater than a selected level was transmitted.

Abstract: A railway wheel detector which is mechanically actuated by the flange of a railway wheel which engages a contacting surface of the detector which may be provided by a rigid plate. This surface is supported by blocks of compressible, resilient material, preferably a closed cell foam elastomeric material, which has more stiffness in a vertical direction than in a longitudinal direction (the direction along the railway track) so as to transmit forces for actuating the plunger of an electrical switch mechanism when the flange of the railway wheel contacts the contacting surface, but allows the contacting surface to move with the wheel to avoid wear, thereby providing reliable operation over a long life time. The switch is preferably hermetically sealed and the blocks of compressible, resilient material are preferably covered by a boot having bellows walls so as to enable the wheel detector to be installed outdoors on the rail of a railway track and to withstand severe environmental conditions.

Abstract: A vital, or fail-safe, track circuit wheel detector for detecting the presence and position in a given detection zone of wheel-axles on railroad cars; in order to provide the requisite fail-safe indication, the operation of the system relies on a sensing means which produces two distinct output signals. The sensing means includes a biasing arrangement for providing, even in the absence of wheel-axles, a steady output signal derived from the path of normal feed current flow. This bias signal is countered or opposed by a wheel sensing signal from the same sensing means responsive to flux level changes resulting from the presence of particular directional components of wheel-axle shunt current, whereby a dip or net reduced signal is effectuated; in the case of open circuit conditions, the output indication goes to zero when there are no wheel-axles in the detection zone.

Abstract: A Hall effect element, incorporated into an integrated circuit unit with temperature compensation, voltage regulation, and amplification, is mounted on top of a permanent magnet made of ceramic material with the critical Hall axis aligned with the magnet pole axis. To avoid saturating the Hall cell, it is positioned within a pole-to-pole hole in the magnet, which creates a flux null space. The permanent magnet and Hall cell assembly is mounted on the rail a predetermined distance below the top so that the flange of passing wheels occupies the air gap between the magnet and the rail through which the major portion of the magnet flux flows. Reduction of the air gap increases the level of the magnet flux and thus the level of voltage output of the Hall cell. The output of the Hall cell is applied to a Schmitt trigger whose switching level is set by a threshold voltage unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence and position of individual wheels or wheel-axles of railroad cars. The apparatus involves no moving parts and basically senses the presence of a car wheel by sensing a shunt current flowing through the car wheel-axle set. The apparatus or system includes a transmitter which develops a high frequency AC signal which is impressed across the rails, and a sense or pick-up coil which is sensitive to the fields produced by currents flowing up through the radius of the wheel, whereas it is substantially unaffected by fields produced by the currents flowing in the rails. A pair of current-carrying loops is provided, the first loop including a pair of rails and a pair of boundary shunts connecting said rails; the first loop being subdivided for current flow into two substantially equal portions with respect to a detection zone center line; the second loop extending in close proximity to and inside said first loop, said second loop likewise being subdivided for current flow.

Abstract: A toy track system having an electro-optical sensing device in the roadway senses the passage and identity of a plurality of individual cars on that roadway and provides the sensed information to a microprocessor based operator control panel. The operator control panel provides visual information to the operator by individual LED's and an alpha-numeric display and provides audio information by a speaker. The operator control panel receives information from the operator through a 4.times.4 matrix keyboard. The microprocessor of the control panel is programmed to permit the operator to test his skill in manipulating the train cars in a dictated sequence and within a certain time frame. The operator can also direct the control panel microprocessor to activate a plurality of accessory devices in the system in a desired sequence and time span.

Abstract: A system controlling apparatus wherein an array of sensors are used for detecting information and for providing signals indicative of information concerning passing articles such as presence of an article at a sensor, number of articles passing, the direction of passing and the velocity of passing. Signal processing apparatus is comparing the signals with pre-determined parameter information as to the system and for providing control to the system in response to detecting equality and for providing overriding control to the system in response to detecting inequality. Each of the sensors is self-checking during the period an article is not present.

Abstract: An apparatus for railway car counting and discrimination comprises three transducers placed at the railway track at given distances from each other and a digital logic circuit for processing the signals from the transducers to obtain a signal for each car passing the transducers.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining whether a railway car passing a sensing station is a freight car. The system utilizes wheel trips along the track at the sensing station to determine the spacing between axles of the car. If the spacing between axles is determined to fall between slightly more than 4' - 5" to slightly less than 6' - 1" the car is presumed to be a freight car.

Abstract: A system for detecting railroad cars in a moving train. The cars are assumed to be of the type having two wheel trucks, each with at least two axles arranged adjacent to each other such that the maximum distance between the axles of a single truck is less than the center distance between facing axles of two trucks of a single car. The system includes a device for measuring the distance between successive axles as a train of cars moves in one direction along a track, a device for comparing each measured distance with the maximum axle distance for a truck, and a device for determining whether the axle spacing of a first truck equals the axle spacing of a second truck after the maximum axle distance for a truck has been exceeded. In this way, an individual car is detected upon identification of two identical truck assemblies which are separated by an axle spacing that is greater than the maximum permissible axle distance in a truck.

Abstract: Method for direction finding and indication of rail-bound vehicles by means of a pair of axle counters arranged on the railway track and operating with seismic and magnetic sensors and which supply electric signals from whose time sequence the direction indication value is derived, the direction indication values released by several axles of the vehicle being summed and the direction indication being derived therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a high flange on the wheel of a railroad car having a base member secured to the track; an upright element secured to the base member; an L-shaped unit, having a horizontal arm positioned adjacent to the track and a vertical leg extending underneath the base member, pivotally connected to the upright element; and a signal device connected to the leg of the L-shaped unit for giving a visual signal when a flange having an excessive depth passes over the arm and displaces the arm thereby moving the leg to activate the signal device.

Abstract: A variable permeability magnetic object detection device including an electromagnetic sensing coil; a core disposed in the electromagnetic sensing coil having a first permeability when the core is magnetically saturated and a second different permeability when the core is magnetically unsaturated; a magnetic member proximate the electromagnetic sensing coil for providing a magnetic field in the core for operating the core in a magnetically saturated state without a magnetic object to be detected present in the area proximate the electromagnetic sensing coil, interacting with the magnetic field, and for operating the core in a magnetically unsaturated state with the magnetic object to be detected present in the area proximate the magnetic sensing coil, interacting with the field; and a detector responsive to said electromagnetic sensing coil to detect the presence of a magnetic object.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining the passage of a railroad car wheel along a section of track and the direction of movement of the wheel. The system includes a first wheel sensor mounted adjacent the track and adapted to generate a signal upon the passage of a wheel past the first sensor and while the wheel remains within a length of track associated with the first sensor. The system further includes a second wheel sensor closely spaced along the track from the first sensor and adapted to generate a second signal on the passage of the wheel past the second sensor and while the wheel remains within a length of track associated with the second sensor. The first and second sensors are sufficiently closely spaced to each other so as to provide an overlap between the first and second signals as a wheel passes. Logic means are connected to the outputs of the first and second sensors for determining the direction of travel of the wheel by the sequence of output signals from the sensors.

Abstract: A variable permeability magnetic object detection device including an electromagnetic sensing coil; a core disposed in the electromagnetic sensing coil having a first permeability when the core is magnetically saturated and a second different permeability when the core is magnetically unsaturated; a magnetic member proximate the electromagnetic sensing coil for providing a magnetic field in the core for operating the core in a magnetically saturated state without a magnetic object to be detected present in the area proximate the electromagnetic sensing coil, interacting with the magnetic field, and for operating the core in a magnetically unsaturated state with the magnetic object to be detected present in the area proximate the magnetic sensing coil, interacting with the field; and a detector responsive to said electromagnetic sensing coil to detect the presence of a magnetic object.