Automated railroad crossing warning system
First Claim
1. A warning system for the intersection of a railroad track and roadway being generally transverse to a railroad track, comprising:
- an audible alarm located at the intersection that produces a directional audible signal in opposing directions along a roadway;
a visual indicator co-located with the audible alarm producing a visual signal to an approaching track-based vehicle indicating the activation of the audible alarm at predefined operational levels; and
a controller connected to the audible alarm and the visual indicator, the controller comprising inputs for receiving signals from transducers placed at predetermined locations along the railroad track, wherein the transducers detect the approach of the track-based vehicle towards the intersection and for activating the alarm in response to the detection of the signals, the controller further including a monitoring device that monitors the operation of the alarm at predefined operational levels and transmits a signal to the visual indicator indicative thereof, a detection devise that detects the proper operation of the visual indicator and a recording device that records system operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated railroad crossing warning system includes a controller for servicing the intersection of a railroad track and a roadway with directional horns oriented in opposite directions to direct horn blasts along the roadway is disclosed. A controller detects the presence of a train approaching the intersection and transmits a signal to the horns to activate the horns. A horn detector transmits a signal to the controller upon activation of the horns at a predetermined decibel level. The controller then activates the light such that the railroad engineer can visually determine that the horns at the intersection are being activated. The controller includes an electronic circuit which causes the horns to produce blasts in a predetermined sequence which matches the conventional signal produced by a train engine upon approaching such a crossing.
9 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A warning system for the intersection of a railroad track and roadway being generally transverse to a railroad track, comprising:
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an audible alarm located at the intersection that produces a directional audible signal in opposing directions along a roadway;
a visual indicator co-located with the audible alarm producing a visual signal to an approaching track-based vehicle indicating the activation of the audible alarm at predefined operational levels; and
a controller connected to the audible alarm and the visual indicator, the controller comprising inputs for receiving signals from transducers placed at predetermined locations along the railroad track, wherein the transducers detect the approach of the track-based vehicle towards the intersection and for activating the alarm in response to the detection of the signals, the controller further including a monitoring device that monitors the operation of the alarm at predefined operational levels and transmits a signal to the visual indicator indicative thereof, a detection devise that detects the proper operation of the visual indicator and a recording device that records system operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An advanced warning system for the intersection of a railroad track and roadway that is generally transverse to the railroad track, comprising:
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an audible alarm located at the intersection that produces a directional audible signal in opposing directions along a roadway;
a sound detector for monitoring the audible alarm;
a visual indicator co-located with the audible alarm producing a visual signal to an approaching track-based vehicle of the successful activation of the audible alarm; and
a controller connected to the audible alarm, sound detector and the visual indicator, the controller comprising a plurality of inputs for receiving signals from plural transducers located along the railroad track, wherein the transducers detect the approach of the track-based vehicle towards the intersection at predetermined locations along the railroad track, and for activating the alarm in response to the detection of the signals, the controller further including means for monitoring the plurality of inputs, the sound detector and the visual indicator, means for actuating the audible alarm at predefined operational levels based on transducer input to the controller, means for transmitting a signal to the visual indicator in response to successful activation of the audible alarm as indicated by the sound detector, means for detecting the proper operation of the visual indicator and means for recording system operation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of providing advanced audible warning at the intersection of a railroad track and roadway, comprising:
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monitoring a plurality of controller inputs from remote transducer inputs, wherein the remote transducer inputs originate from a plurality of transducers located along the railroad track;
actuating an audible alarm at predefined operational levels based on transducer input to the controller, the input indicating the approach of a track-based vehicle towards the intersection;
transmitting a signal to a visual indicator in response to activation of the audible alarm at predefined decibel levels; and
recording system operation. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification