Derail signal switch

• US 4,133,506 A
• Filed: 11/01/1977
• Issued: 01/09/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph Webster
• Original Assignee: Joseph Webster
• Inventors: Webster, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Kunin, Stephen G.
• Application Number:
  US05/847,438
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.08, 200/300, 246/76, 246/169 R, 246/170-173, 246/180, 246/199, 246/186, 246/246, 246/255, 303/19, 104/173 ST, 104/178, 104/179
• US Class Current: 246/172
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/00 Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/08 controlling electrically
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A system for sensing derailment of a remotely controlled engine including a switch integrated with a dead man control circuit for the engine to automatically stop the engine upon activation of the switch. The switch further includes a deformable copper pipe having a brass rod within the pipe but electrically insulated therefrom. The copper pipe with the brass rod, each having a terminal electrically connected to the circuit, is placed between rails in a rail yard. When the engine derails the wheels of the engine or some other part of the train press the copper pipe in communication with the brass rod thereby activating the switch and shutting down the engine.

Claims

1. In a system for sensing derailment of a remotely controlled train comprising a sensing means for sensing the derailment of said train and a circuit means integrated with said train for stopping the derailed train when sensed by said sensing means, wherein said sensing means comprises:

(a) a series of elongated deformable members;

(b) a rod member contained within each said elongated deformable member and electrically insulated therefrom;

(c) means for connecting said rod member and said deformable member to said circuit means for shutting down said train;

(d) said circuit means being activated upon said deformable member being pressed into contact with said rod member by said derailed train;

(e) said deformable members being of sufficient rigidity to withstand the pressure from a rubber tired vehicle such as a track cleaner, car or truck rolling thereover without being pressed into contact with said rod member;

(f) said elongated deformable members having sealing means at each end thereof for sealing the internal portions of said deformable members from moisture and other materials external thereto;

(g) said rod members being spaced from said deformable members by at least one electrical insulator supporting said rod members from said deformable members;

(h) said elongated deformable members being secured on cross ties between said rails.

2. A system for sensing derailment of a remotely controlled rail train and automatically stopping the engine of the train comprising:

(a) switch means located between said rails for sensing a derailed train;

(b) said switch means having a first terminal and a second terminal wherein each terminal is comprised of electrically conductive material;

(c) said switch means being maintained in a normally open position;

(d) said first terminal being connected to one side of an electrical source;

(e) said second terminal being connected to an actuating means for operating a dead man control, said actuating means being connected to the other side of said electrical source;

(f) said dead man control being integrated with said engine to stop the engine operation upon energizing said actuating means by closing said switch means after sensing at least a portion of a derailed train;

(g) said switch means comprising a deformable outer shell, and

(h) an inner member located in spaced relationship within said outer shell for contact with said outer shell upon deformation of said shell by said derailed train;

(i) said outer shell being connected to said first terminal;

(j) said inner shell being connected to said second terminal whereby contact between the outer shell and the inner member as a result of deformation energizes said actuating means to automatically shut down said engine;

(k) said deformable outer shell including a tubular member; and

(l) said inner member including a brass rod having a diameter substantially less than that of said outer shell.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said rod is spaced from said outer tubular member by insulating means for preventing contact between the rod and the shell until deformation by said derailed train.

4. The system according to claim 2 wherein the ends of the tubular member include insulating means for preventing moisture from leaking into said tube.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein said tubular member has a length less than the width between the rails on which the train travels.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein said outer shell includes a copper pipe and said inner member includes a brass rod having a length less than the length of said pipe.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein said means for preventing moisture from leaking into said tube include rubber insulating members secured to each end of said pipe and about said brass rod.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein said first terminal has a first wire secured in electrical communication with said pipe and said second terminal has a second wire secured in electrical communication with said brass rod, said first and second terminal being secured to be insulated from one another.

9. In a system for sensing derailment of a remotely controlled train comprising a sensing means for sensing the derailment of said train and a circuit means integrated with said train for stopping the derailed train when sensed by said sensing means, wherein said sensing means comprises:

(a) an elongated deformable member;

(b) a rod member contained within said elongated deformable member and electrically insulated therefrom;

(c) switch having means for connecting said rod member and said deformable member to said circuit means for shutting down said train;

(d) said circuit means being activated upon said deformable member being pressed into contact with said rod member by said derailed train;

(e) said deformable member having sealing means at each end thereof for sealing the internal portions of said deformable member from moisture and other materials external to said deformable member;

(f) said rod member being spaced from said deformable member by at least one electrical insulator substantially circumscribing said rod member; and

(g) said sealing means including at least one elastomeric insulator secured at the end of said tubular member.

10. The sensing means according to claim 9 wherein said deformable member is a copper pipe and said rod member is a brass rod.

11. The sensing means according to claim 10 wherein said switch means further includes copper cap members fitting over each end of said copper pipe and at least one of said copper cap members having an aperture therethrough for an electrical wire in electrical connection with said brass rod.

12. The sensing means according to claim 11 wherein said sensing means includes a plurality of said copper pipes with said brass rods therein placed on railroad ties in between said rail members.