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Signaling and remote control train operation

  • US 9,511,303 B2
  • Filed: 03/06/2014
  • Issued: 12/06/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for use in a model railroad locomotive comprising:

  • providing a smoke generator disposed in a model railroad locomotive;

    providing a first output connected to the smoke generator to receive smoke and convey the smoke to a first location spaced apart from the smoke generator, the first output controllable by a micro-processor so that the micro-processor can control volume and duration of smoke moving through the first output from the smoke generator to the first location;

    providing a second output connected to the smoke generator to receive smoke and convey the smoke to a second location apart from the smoke generator;

    the second output controllable by a micro-processor so that the micro-processor can control volume and duration of smoke moving through the second output from the smoke generator to the second location;

    coupling the smoke generator and the first output and the second output to an on-board micro-processor in the model railroad locomotive for controlling each of the smoke generator and the first output and the second output; and

    configuring the on-board micro-processor for distributing smoke generated by the smoke generator to at least one of the first location and the second location in the model railroad locomotive, via the first and second outputs, respectively, the second location spaced apart from the first location, for controllably simulating an emission of smoke or steam from at least one of the first location and the second location;

    in the micro-processor, controlling the smoke generator so as to provide heavy smoking responsive to simulated load and acceleration while the locomotive is working hard;

    in the micro-processor, controlling the smoke generator so as to provide a first, heavy level of smoking while the locomotive is under acceleration;

    reduce smoking to a second, lower level when the train is moving at constant speed or when it is stopped; and

    further reduce the level of smoking to a third level of smoking lower than the second level responsive to an elapsed time interval after reducing to the second level, in order to reduce smoke levels in a model train layout room.

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