Plural output electric train control station
First Claim
1. An electric train control station comprising:
- an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply an AC controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal, said controllable drive circuit comprising means for controlling respective positive and negative peak voltages provided by said output connection;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction set.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plural output control station for operating electrical apparatus, such as model electric train engines and accessories. The control station employs a data processor for monitoring and controlling the signals generated at a plurality of transformer-driven power output terminals. An exemplary station includes two variable-voltage alternating current (AC) output channels (TRACK 1 and TRACK 2) and two fixed-voltage AC output channels (AUX 1 & AUX 2). The variable-voltage outputs are controlled by a data processor responsive to respective operator-controlled throttles for varying the AC output voltage and therefore the rate of movement and direction of electric train engines, typically three-rail O-gauge model trains. The variable-voltage outputs can also be offset by the data processor with positive and negative DC voltages for enabling engine functions such as horns, whistles and bells. The variable-voltage outputs are controlled by the data processor to also communicate control parameters to electric train engines for the operation and programming of various electric train engine features and accessories. The plurality of outputs are monitored by the data processor to ensure that predetermined voltage and/or current limits are not exceeded by any individual output and that a predetermined power limit is not exceeded by any individual output or by any combination of outputs.
90 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply an AC controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal, said controllable drive circuit comprising means for controlling respective positive and negative peak voltages provided by said output connection;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply a controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction set; and
wherein said data processor generates said first control signal to control said controllable drive circuit to generate an AC controlled electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. The control station 11 wherein said data processor generates said first control signal to control said controllable drive circuit to generate said AC controlled electrical signal superimposed on said DC controlled electrical signal.
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14. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply a controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction set, wherein said instruction set includes instructions for causing said first control signal to control said controllable drive circuit to limit said controlled electrical signals to a predetermined maximum current; and
a sensing arrangement coupled to said output connection and to said data processor for communicating to said data processor a representation of the current of said controlled electrical signal.
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15. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply a controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction, wherein said instruction set includes instructions for causing said first control signal to control said controllable drive circuit to limit said controlled electrical signals to a predetermined maximum power; and
a sensing arrangement coupled to said output connection and to said data processor for communicating to said data processor a representation of the voltage and of the current of said controlled electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
a second input connection adapted to receive said electrical power from said source of electrical power;
a second output connection adapted to supply a second electrical signal;
a second drive circuit coupled between said second input connection and said second output connection for generating said second electrical signal.
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17. The control station of claim 16 wherein said second electrical signal is a second controlled electrical signal and wherein said second drive circuit is a controllable drive circuit for generating said second controlled electrical signal in response to a second control signal.
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18. The control station of claim 17 wherein said instruction set includes instructions for detecting whether said output connection and said second output connection are connected together.
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19. The control station of claim 17 wherein said instruction set includes instructions for changing said first control signal in a predetermined manner to control said controllable drive circuit to change the magnitude of said controlled electrical signal.
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20. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply a controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction;
a second input connection adapted to receive said electrical power from said source of electrical power;
a second output connection adapted to supply a second electrical signal;
a second drive circuit coupled between said second input connection and said second output connection for generating said second electrical signal, wherein said second electrical signal is a second controlled electrical signal and wherein said second drive circuit is a controllable drive circuit for generating said second controlled electrical signal in response to a second control signal; and
a transformer coupled to said input connection and to said second input connection for applying said electrical power thereto.
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21. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply a controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction;
a second input connection adapted to receive said electrical power from said source of electrical power;
a second output connection adapted to supply a second electrical signal;
a second drive circuit coupled between said second input connection and said second output connection for generating said second electrical signal, wherein said second electrical signal is a second controlled electrical signal and wherein said second drive circuit is a controllable drive circuit for generating said second controlled electrical signal in response to a second control signal;
wherein said instruction set includes instructions for detecting whether said output connection and said second output connection are connected together; and
wherein said instructions for detecting cause said first control signal to control said controllable drive circuit to reduce said controlled electrical signal to a voltage of substantially zero volts.
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22. An electric train control station comprising:
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an input connection adapted to receive electrical power from a source of electrical power;
an output connection adapted to supply a controlled electrical signal for a track circuit;
a controllable drive circuit coupled between said input connection and said output connection for generating said controlled electrical signal responsive to a first control signal;
an input device for generating a command signal in response to an operator action;
a data processor including a memory device for storing an instruction set, said data processor executing said instruction set and being coupled to said input device and to said controllable drive circuit for generating said first control signal responsive to said command signal and in accordance with said instruction;
a second input connection adapted to receive said electrical power from said source of electrical power;
a second output connection adapted to supply a second electrical signal;
a second drive circuit coupled between said second input connection and said second output connection for generating said second electrical signal, wherein said second electrical signal is a second controlled electrical signal and wherein said second drive circuit is a controllable drive circuit for generating said second controlled electrical signal in response to a second control signal;
wherein said instruction set includes instructions for detecting whether said output connection and said second output connection are connected together; and
a voltage sensing arrangement coupled to said output connection and to said data processor for communicating to said data processor a representation of said controlled electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification