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Railway coded track circuit apparatus and method utilizing fiber optic sensing

  • US 5,330,136 A
  • Filed: 09/25/1992
  • Issued: 07/19/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Railway track circuit apparatus for detecting a railway vehicle present in a track section having a first end and a second end, said apparatus comprising:

  • light emission means for generating a reference light signal at said first end of said track section;

    optical sensor means for emitting a vehicle detection light signal based upon said reference light signal in response to a presence of said railway vehicle in said track section;

    detector means in optical communication with said sensor means for receiving said detector light signal;

    processor means operatively connected to said detector means for interpreting said vehicle detection light signal to detect presence of said railway vehicle in said track section;

    said optical sensor means comprises an elongated optical fiber conductor extending along said track section from said first end to said second end; and

    said elongated optical fiber conductor is placed at said track section by attachment at a plurality of spaced apart locations intermediate said first end and said second end, and said elongated optical fiber conductor is used both for detection of said railway vehicle and as a communication medium.

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