Train protection and control system

• US 4,087,067 A
• Filed: 06/10/1977
• Issued: 05/02/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Bahker, Friedrich, Kohler, Ernst Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Application Number:
  US05/805,599
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 246/34 R, 246/34 CT, 246/167 R, 246/187 B, 246/4, 246/5, 179/15 BP, 325/37, 325/51, 325/64, 343/225, 343/226, 340/146.1 BA
• US Class Current: 246/167.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2003/226 German inductive continuous train control, called 'Linienzugbeeinflussung' [LZB]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/20 Trackside control of safe travel of vehicle or train, e.g. braking curve calculation
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/70 Details of trackside communication

Abstract

A train safety and control system utilizing at least one transmitter disposed at the railway right-of-way for the transmission of orders necessary for train traffic control and for the wireless exchange of general information between a track control center and trains moving in the associated right-of-way section, with a data processing installation being provided at the track control center for the cyclical determination of orders in the form of dynamic signals, in which the operational availability of the data processing system is monitored at the track control center, whereby at a predetermined operational readiness of the data process system a pilot sound generator is continuously activated, whose signals are conducted over the same transmission path of the transmitter as the orders for the traction vehicles, a switching device being provided in the vehicle responsive in dependence upon the presence of a received pilot sound signal for controlling the conduction of received control orders to responsive control apparatus on such vehicle.

Claims

1. In a train safety and control installation having at least one transmitter disposed at the railway right-of-way for the transmission of orders necessary for train traffic control and for the wireless exchange of general information between a track control center and trains moving in the associated right-of-way section, with a data processing unit being provided at the track control center for the cyclical determination of orders, the combination of monitoring means at the track control center for monitoring the operational availability of the data processing unit, operative, at a predetermined operational readiness of the data processing unit to continuously activate a pilot sound generator whose signals are conducted over the same transmission path of the transmitter as the orders for the traction vehicles, receiving means on the vehicle and switching means cooperable therewith responsive to the presence of a received pilot sound signal for controlling the conduction of received control orders to responsive control means on the traction vehicle.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is operable to monitor the issuance of dynamic signals of the data processing unit.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring means operates as a comparator, monitoring, in combination with a timing circuit, the cyclical arrival of a symbol provided at the end of each processing cycle of the data processing unit.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate memory is provided on board the traction vehicle for the pilot sound signal, having a reset input to which two monitoring means are connected whereby after traversing a predetermined stretch of right-of-way, or after a predetermined time interval without the reception of a pilot sound, will supply a reset signal.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein means are provided on board the traction vehicle, responsive to a received connection identification symbol transmitted separately over the track to the traction vehicle at the start of a track section for initiating evaluation of received pilot sound signals.