Model railroad train control system

• US 3,964,701 A
• Filed: 05/27/1975
• Issued: 06/22/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Kacerek
• Original Assignee: John Kacerek
• Inventors: Kacerek, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kunin, Stephen G.
• Application Number:
  US05/580,990
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 104/147 A, 104/149, 104/152, 246/2 R, 246/2 F, 246/2 S, 246/182 C, 246/3, 246/5, 246/187 B, 340/171 A, 46/243 LV, 46/243 P, 46/244 A, 46/244 B, 343/225
• US Class Current: 246/2.00F
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor

Abstract

A system is provided to permit the independent, simultaneous operation of several model railroad train sets along a single track at variable speeds and in the forward and reverse direction, as desired. The system employs apparatus for generating a repetitive ultimate duty cycle and for dividing the duty cycle into spaced apart timewise time slots. During each time slot a train driving voltage of preselected polarity and amplitude is applied to the track. Time gaps are provided between the time slots and during each such gap a control signal of predetermined frequency is applied to the track. The system further includes a sensor mounted in each train and connected to the dc motor of the train. Each sensor is tuned to one of the predetermined frequencies and includes a latching circuit responsive to its frequency which latches the dc motor to the track during the immediately following time slot. The duty cycle and time slots are chosen to permit the trains to operate smoothly and without interruption.

Claims

1. A system for simultaneously driving dc motor driven electric trains at speeds and directions independent of each other along a track to which power is fed, said circuit comprising:

means for generating a repetitive ultimate duty cycle;

means connected to said aforementioned means for dividing said duty cycle into a plurality of spaced apart timewise time slots, said time slots being separated from one another by an equal plurality of time gaps;

an equal plurality of variable amplitude and polarity dc voltage sources;

means for interconnecting one of said voltage sources with said track during each of said time slots;

means for generating signals of differing discrete frequencies during each of said time gaps of the ultimate cycle;

a dc motor and a sensor mounted in each of said trains, said sensor including frequency responsive means tuned to one of said discrete frequencies;

a dual polarity latching subcircuit connected in series with said train dc motor across said track; and

,

latch driving means interconnecting said frequency responsive means and said latching subcircuit to latch said latching subcircuit and motor across said track during the time slot following the gap in which said discrete frequency signal was generated.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for generating signals of differing discrete frequencies includes a voltage controlled oscillator.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said latching subcircuit comprises a triac.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said latching driving circuit includes means for generating a dc pulse during each gap and means for inhibiting said dc pulse from firing said triac until the end of said gap.