Broken Rail Detection System for Communications-Based Train Control
First Claim
1. A system for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the system comprising:
- at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track; and
a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track,wherein the at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current, andwherein the central control system is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails includes at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track. The at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current. The central control office is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track and/or a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the system comprising:
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at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track; and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track, wherein the at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal based on the measured current, and wherein the central control system is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the system comprising:
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at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track; and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track, wherein the central control system is configured to send the at least one first broken rail detection module the location of the at least one train on the track, and wherein the at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.
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6. A system for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the system comprising:
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at least one first broken rail detection module configured to measure a current through the track; and a central control system configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track, wherein the at least one first broken rail detection module is configured to send the central control system a signal indicating a broken rail condition on the track; and wherein the central control system is configured to determine a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the location of the at least one train on the track.
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7. A system for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the system comprising:
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a first broken rail detection module configured to apply a first shunt to the track at a first location; a second broken rail detection module configured to apply a second shunt to the track at a second location; a third broken rail detection module configured to measure a current in a track circuit formed between the first shunt and the second shunt; and a central control system configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track between the first broken rail detection module and the second broken rail detection module based at least partially on the measured current in the track circuit.
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8. A method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the method comprising:
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measuring, by at least one first broken rail detection module, a current through the track; determining, by a central control system, a location of at least one train on the track; communicating, by the at least one first broken rail detection module, a signal based on the measured current to the central control system; and determining, by the central control system, if a broken rail exists on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the method comprising:
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measuring, by at least one first broken rail detection module, a current through the track; determining, by a central control system, a location of at least one train on the track; communicating, by the central control system, the location of the at least one train on the track to the at least one first broken rail detection module; and determining, by the at least one first broken rail detection module, if a broken rail exists on the track based at least partially on the measured current and the location of the at least one train on the track.
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13. A method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the method comprising:
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measuring, by at least one first broken rail detection module, a current through the track; determining, by a central control system, a location of at least one train on the track; communicating, by the at least one first broken rail detection module, a signal indicating a broken rail condition on the track to the central control system; and determining, by the central control system, a location of the broken rail on the track based at least partially on the location of the at least one train on the track.
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14. A method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the method comprising:
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applying, by a first broken rail detection module, a first shunt to the track at a first location; applying, by a second broken rail detection module, a second shunt to the track at a second location; measuring, by a third broken rail detection module, a current in a track circuit formed between the first shunt and the second shunt; and determining, by a central control system, if a broken rail exists on the track between the first broken rail detection module and the second broken rail detection module based at least partially on the measured current in the track circuit.
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15. A method for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a central control system, a signal at least partially based on a current measured through the track; determining, by the central control system, a location of at least one train on the track; processing, by the central control system, the signal and the location of the at least one train to determine if a broken rail exists on the track. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A central control system for detecting broken rails in a track of parallel rails, the system comprising:
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a receiving unit configured to receive a signal at least partially based on a current measured through the track from at least one broken rail detection module; and a processor configured to determine a location of at least one train on the track, wherein the processor is configured to determine if a broken rail exists on the track at least partially based on the signal and the location of the at least one train on the track. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification