Railroad maintenance-of-way personnel warning system apparatus and method therefor
First Claim
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1. A system for alerting a maintenance-of-way railroad crew working in a construction zone on a section of an active railroad track to the presence of an oncoming train, the system comprising:
- (a) a crew warning device for alerting the maintenance-of-way crew to the presence of the oncoming train;
(b) a first sensor probe positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a predetermined distance from the construction zone for detecting the train as it enters the construction zone and producing a first train detection signal in response thereto;
(c) a first sensor unit coupled the first sensor probe for receiving the first train detection signal and transmitting a first train indication signal thereupon;
(d) a second sensor probe positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a predetermined distance from the construction zone for detecting the presence of the train as it leaves the construction zone and producing a second train detection signal in response thereto;
(e) a second sensor unit coupled to the second sensor probe for receiving the second train detection signal and transmitting a second train indication signal thereupon;
(f) a receiver unit operatively coupled to the crew warning device, the receiver unit activating the crew warning device upon receiving the first train indication signal and deactivating the crew warning device upon receiving the second train indication signal.
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Abstract
A railroad maintenance-of-way personnel warning system and method therefor provides advanced detection and warning of oncoming trains encroaching the construction area. Magnetometer sensors detect an oncoming train whereby a waning signal is transmitted to a receiver unit at the construction zone. Warning alarms including a flashing light and siren horn are thereby activated to indicate the imminent danger such whereupon the construction personnel may take precautionary and evasive action in sufficient time to avoid mishap.
64 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for alerting a maintenance-of-way railroad crew working in a construction zone on a section of an active railroad track to the presence of an oncoming train, the system comprising:
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(a) a crew warning device for alerting the maintenance-of-way crew to the presence of the oncoming train; (b) a first sensor probe positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a predetermined distance from the construction zone for detecting the train as it enters the construction zone and producing a first train detection signal in response thereto; (c) a first sensor unit coupled the first sensor probe for receiving the first train detection signal and transmitting a first train indication signal thereupon; (d) a second sensor probe positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a predetermined distance from the construction zone for detecting the presence of the train as it leaves the construction zone and producing a second train detection signal in response thereto; (e) a second sensor unit coupled to the second sensor probe for receiving the second train detection signal and transmitting a second train indication signal thereupon; (f) a receiver unit operatively coupled to the crew warning device, the receiver unit activating the crew warning device upon receiving the first train indication signal and deactivating the crew warning device upon receiving the second train indication signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification