Device for supervising an area

• US 5,625,340 A
• Filed: 07/28/1994
• Issued: 04/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Gustavsson
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Gustavsson
• Inventors: Gustavsson, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/256,833
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 340/565, 340/573, 340/541, 340/561, 238/12, 342/158, 342/126
• US Class Current: 340/561
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/00 Safety means for rail/road crossing traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target

Abstract

A device for supervising an area (16), in particular the crossing area between railway gates, in order to detect objects occurring in the area comprises a detector (18) adapted to transmit detection signals and receive their reflection caused by objects. The detector (18) is pivotably arranged in a reciprocal manner so as to transmit the detection signals in an angular area. The detector (18) may be a laser, the light of which forms the detection signals.

Claims

1. A device for supervising a crossing (16) by detecting an object in a predetermined effective detection area of the crossing lying between railway gates of a railway and another way, the device comprising:

a detector (18) including means for transmitting a detection signal beam and receiving beam reflections from the object;

reciprocating means for pivotally reciprocating the detector to transmit the detection signal beam over a pivot angle (v);

a signal processing unit (19) coupled to the detector, the signal processing unit including means for delimiting the effective detection area by determining an effective distance as a function of the pivot angle and considering only objects within the effective distance;

wherein;

the crossing area (16) is substantially rectangular; and

the angle (v) is bounded by a first direction (R1) extending substantially parallel to one of the railway gates, and a second direction (R2) extending substantially perpendicularly to the one of the railway gates.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises at least one railway gate (17) for closing off the crossing area; and

the signal processing unit (19) includes means for

controlling a gate operating arrangement (20) to raise the railway gate upon detection of the object in the effective detection area.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises at least one railway gate (17) for closing off the crossing area; and

the detector (18) is disposed on the railway gate.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit (19) includes means for

controlling a signal arrangement (21) to indicate to an approaching train presence of the object in the effective detection area.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit (19) includes means for

controlling an automatic train stop arrangement (22) to stop approaching trains upon detection of the object in the effective detection area.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting a detection signal beam comprises a laser.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein:

the device comprises at least one railway gate (17) for closing off the crossing area; and

the railway gate comprises a compartment (25) provided in the gate adjacent a pivotable suspension (24) of the gate, and means for receiving the detector (18) in said compartment.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit (19) is adjustable to react only to objects which have an area exceeding a certain value.