RAILROAD SIGNALING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING A FAIL-SAFE VOLTAGE SENSOR TO VERIFY TRACKSIDE CONDITIONS IN SAFETY-CRITICAL RAILROAD APPLICATIONS
First Claim
1. A system for verifying whether an electrical component is energized comprising:
- a sensor electrically connected to a circuit adjacent to an electrical component, said sensor powered by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A system for verifying whether an electrical component is energized comprising:
a sensor electrically connected to a circuit adjacent to an electrical component, said sensor powered by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A fail safe method for sensing the status of an electrical component by powering the sensing means with voltage applied to a circuit when the electrical component is engaged comprising:
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electrically connecting a sensor to an electrical circuit associated with an electrical component, said circuit energized when said electrical component is engaged, said sensor adjacent to said electrical component; powering said sensor by voltage applied to said circuit such that said sensor is energized only when said circuit is energized; and indicating that said electrical component is engaged when sensor is energized by transmitting sensor status to a remote train control system. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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Specification