Method and apparatus for verification of rail braking distances
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining the stopping distance of a railway vehicle comprising:
- means for sensing the position of the railway vehicle on a given length of track;
speed detection means connected to said position sensing means, for detecting the rate of change of the position of the railway vehicle over time;
means for applying a braking force to the railway vehicle connected to said position sensing means, for applying the brakes of the railway vehicle at a preselected first position; and
distance calculation means connected to said position sensing means for calculating the distance between said first position and a second position, said second position being located subsequent to said first position, when the speed detection means indicates the railway vehicle is stopped.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A braking distance verification system is disclosed which makes use of a specially designed pulse to voltage converter circuit and a portable computer-based data acquisition system to measure grade, speed, and distance information of any rail vehicle. The preferred embodiment of the device is particularly adapted for mass transit systems. It provides a method and apparatus for physical verification, under actual test conditions, that an adequate braking distance has been provided in each block of a signal block design system. The portable system may be used with any vehicle braking system which provides an electronic wheel tachometer or equivalent, or may utilize a portable doppler radar if tachometer information is not available.
80 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining the stopping distance of a railway vehicle comprising:
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means for sensing the position of the railway vehicle on a given length of track; speed detection means connected to said position sensing means, for detecting the rate of change of the position of the railway vehicle over time; means for applying a braking force to the railway vehicle connected to said position sensing means, for applying the brakes of the railway vehicle at a preselected first position; and distance calculation means connected to said position sensing means for calculating the distance between said first position and a second position, said second position being located subsequent to said first position, when the speed detection means indicates the railway vehicle is stopped. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for measuring the stopping distance of a railway vehicle comprising the steps of:
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sensing a first position of the railway vehicle on a given length of track; detecting the rate of change of the position of the railway vehicle over time; applying a braking force to the railway vehicle at a preselected location; and calculating the distance between the first position, being a position when the brakes are applied, and a second position, being that subsequent to said application of the brakes, when the rate of change of the position of the railway vehicle over time is detected as zero. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A device for operation of a railway vehicle braking system and simultaneous measurement of the braking distance of said railway vehicle under the control of said device for numerical and visual verification that said braking distance is within a preselected braking distance based on computergenerated data, the device comprising:
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speed measurement means adapted to measure the velocity of said railway vehicle; inclination measurement means; at least one electrically operated relay adapted to engage said braking system of said railway vehicle when activated; amplification circuitry means, electronically connected to said speed measurement means, said circuitry means adapted to convert the output of the speed measurement means into; i) a first signal having a frequency proportionate to the velocity of said railway vehicle; ii) a second signal having a voltage proportionate to the velocity of said railway vehicle; interface circuit means, electronically connected to said amplification circuitry means, said at least one relay and said inclination measurement means, said interface circuit means adapted for data transfer therebetween; and a computer, electronically connected to said interface circuit means, adapted to receive said first and second signals, activate at least one relay to engage the braking system of the railway vehicle, display a first velocity profile based on said computer-generated data and further calculate and display a second velocity profile such that said first and second velocity profiles may be numerically and visually compared.
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Specification