Vehicle detection, signaling and communication system

• US 3,879,004 A
• Filed: 10/01/1973
• Issued: 04/22/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sasib SpA (Is Company SRL)
• Original Assignee: Charles Andreasen
• Inventors: Andreasen, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. Henson
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Application Number:
  US05/402,414
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 246/7-9,34B,34R,63C,37,187B,182R,62
• US Class Current: 246/62
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/185 using separate conductors

Abstract

A vehicle detection, signaling and communication system which employs a single sectionalized conductor for all three purposes. Vehicles are detected and located through the use of vehicle detection energy which is placed upon the various sections of the conductor. The vehicle carries shunting means to conductively engage the conductor and shunt sufficient current from the conductor so that a relay, normally energized by vehicle detection energy on said conductor, is dropped away. Vehicle traffic signaling current is also placed on the conductor and is conductively transmitted to the vehicle through the same apparatus which causes the vehicle detection energy to be shunted. Additionally, further information is transmitted to and from the vehicle through the same means to the conductor.

Claims

1. A vehicle detection and communication system comprising, a sectionalized conductor provided with energy of one type and detecting means connected to each section of said sectionalized conductor and responsive only to energy of said one type, first means for transmitting control signals to each section of said sectionalized conductor distinctive of traffic conditions in advance of said section, second means for transmitting communication signals to each section of said sectionalized conductor, and first vehicle carried means conductively engaging said sectionalized conductor for providing a low impedance path to ground for said energy of one type and for carrying said control and communication signals between said sectionalized conductor and said vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes, second vehicle carried means coupled to said first vehicle carrieD means distinctively responsive to said control signals, and third vehicle carried means coupled to said first vehicle carried means presenting a low impedance path to ground for energy of said one type.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 which further includes fourth vehicle carried means coupled to said first vehicle carried means and responsive to said communication signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said fourth vehicle carried means includes a transmitter coupled to said first vehicle carried means for, at times, transmitting communication information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first vehicle carried means comprises at least two brushes conductively engaging said sectionalized conductor, one of said brushes providing a low impedance path to ground for energy of said one type, vehicle carried detecting means, said other brush being connected to said vehicle carried detecting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said second means includes, transmitting means for, at times, transmitting information to each section of said sectionalized conductor and vehicle carried transmitting means connected to said first vehicle carried means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 which further includes vehicle carried receiving means connected to said first vehicle carried means and to said vehicle carried transmitting means for initiating operation of said vehicle carried transmitting means in response to receipt by said vehicle carried receiving means of information from said transmitting means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including timing means connected to said vehicle carried receiving means and to said vehicle carried transmitting means for initiating operation of said vehicle carried transmitting means in the absence of receipt by said vehicle carried receiving means of information, transmitted by said transmitting means.

9. Vehicle carried apparatus manifesting vehicle presence and for providing a path for control and communication signals between said vehicle and wayside apparatus, cooperating with a single sectionalized conductor which carries vehicle detecting energy of one type, control information and communication information comprising energy of a type different from said energy of one type, said vehicle carried apparatus comprising, first means conductively engaging said sectionalized conductor, second means coupled to said first means and presenting a low impedance path to ground to energy of said one type, control receiving means distinctly responsive to said control information, said second means coupled to said control receiving means, and communication transceiver means coupled to said second means for reception and transmission of communication information to and from said vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said second means includes a transformer with a primary winding connected between said first means and ground, said transformer secondary coupled to said control receiving means and to said communication transceiver means.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said communication transceiver means includes a transmitter and a receiver.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which transmitter operates in response to reception of information by said receiver.