Train Direction Detection Apparatus and Method

• US 20170021846A1
• Filed: 03/31/2015
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vossloh Signaling USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vossloh Signaling USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Cipollone, John, Smaha, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 11,279,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/023 Determination of driving direction of vehicle or train
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/284 using rail-contacts, rail microphones, or the like, controlled by the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/286 using conductor circuits controlled by the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a train direction detection device and a method of determining the direction of travel. The train direction detection device analyzes the characteristics, such as impedance, of an electrical circuit implemented on a railroad to determine the direction of approach of a train. The invention is adapted to integrate with occupancy or grade crossing circuits commonly used by railroads at grade crossings.

Claims

8. A system for determining the direction of travel of a train approaching a grade crossing comprising:

a track circuit that generates an electrical current,

wherein the circuit is partially comprised of a rail track,

wherein the circuit generates a plurality of signals over a period of time which vary based on a location of a train within the circuit;

a module for acquiring the plurality of signals,

wherein the module determines a direction of travel of a train based on a rate of change in the plurality of signals.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the module comprises:

a processor that receives the plurality of signals as an input;

a program executed by the processor,

wherein the program calculates the rate of change in the plurality of signals acquired from the track circuit,

wherein the program compares the rate of change to a reference rate of change for a given direction of travel,

wherein the program generates a train direction result;

a data storage medium for storing the plurality of signals and the train direction result.

10-1. The device of claim 10, wherein the signal is an audio frequency alternating current.

11. The device of claim 11, wherein the parameter is impedance.