Gate monitoring system
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring a crossing arm comprising:
- providing a crossing arm including a first end portion and a second end portion and a length therebetween, wherein the second end portion is positioned above the first end portion when the cross arm is in a raised position, wherein the second end portion is lowered when the arm is in a lowered position;
mounting a position sensor to the second end portion of the crossing arm;
delivering electrical power to the position sensor through one or more wires that also power LED lights on the crossing arm, wherein the electrical power is delivered at a voltage that is insufficient to cause the LED lights to illuminate; and
magnifying the voltage of the delivered electrical power to a level that is sufficient to periodically power the position sensor.
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Abstract
A monitoring system and method is provided for monitoring the lighting and the gate arm position at a railroad crossing.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a crossing arm comprising:
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providing a crossing arm including a first end portion and a second end portion and a length therebetween, wherein the second end portion is positioned above the first end portion when the cross arm is in a raised position, wherein the second end portion is lowered when the arm is in a lowered position; mounting a position sensor to the second end portion of the crossing arm; delivering electrical power to the position sensor through one or more wires that also power LED lights on the crossing arm, wherein the electrical power is delivered at a voltage that is insufficient to cause the LED lights to illuminate; and magnifying the voltage of the delivered electrical power to a level that is sufficient to periodically power the position sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A crossing arm comprising:
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a first end portion and a second end portion and a length therebetween, wherein the second end portion is positioned above the first end portion when the cross arm is in a raised position, wherein the second end portion is lowered when the arm is in a lowered position; a position sensor mounted to the second end portion of the crossing arm; at least one wire configured to power LED lights on the crossing arm that are also configured to delivering electrical power to the position sensor, wherein the electrical power is delivered at a voltage that is insufficient to cause the LED lights to illuminate; and a device mounted to the second end portion of the crossing arm configured to magnify the voltage of the delivered electrical power to a level that is sufficient to periodically power the position sensor.
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Specification