METHODS AND SYSTEM OF AUTOMATING TRACK CIRCUIT CALIBRATION
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating a track circuit defined between a transmit processing unit and a receive processing unit, the transmit and processing units coupled at respective first and second ends of a track section, the method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to the track section by the transmit processing unit;
receiving by the receive processing unit a first current related to the first voltage and a leakage resistance between the first end and the second end of the track section; and
transmitting from the receive processing unit to the transmit processing unit a communication corresponding to a status of the leakage resistance, the communication including a pulse pair signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.
11 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for calibrating a track circuit defined between a transmit processing unit and a receive processing unit, the transmit and processing units coupled at respective first and second ends of a track section, the method comprising:
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applying a first voltage to the track section by the transmit processing unit; receiving by the receive processing unit a first current related to the first voltage and a leakage resistance between the first end and the second end of the track section; and transmitting from the receive processing unit to the transmit processing unit a communication corresponding to a status of the leakage resistance, the communication including a pulse pair signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A track circuit comprising:
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a receive processing unit coupled to a first end of a track section; wherein the receive processing unit is configured to receive a current signal over the track section, the current signal related to a voltage signal applied to the track section by a transmit processing unit coupled to a second end of the track section and a leakage resistance between the first end and the second end of the track section; and wherein the receive processing unit is configured to transmit to the transmit processing unit a communication corresponding to a status of the leakage resistance, the communication including a pulse pair signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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14. A track circuit comprising:
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a transmit processing unit coupled to a first end of a track section; wherein the transmit processing unit is configured to apply a voltage signal to the track section for reception of a current signal corresponding to the voltage signal by a receive processing unit coupled to a second end of the track section; wherein the transmit processing unit is configured to receive a communication from the receive processing unit corresponding to a status of a leakage resistance between the first end and the second end of the track section, the communication including a pulse pair signal; and wherein the transmit processing unit is configured to adjust the voltage signal based on the pulse pair signal received from the receive processing unit to compensate for the leakage resistance. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A track circuit comprising:
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a remote system; and a transmit processing unit and a receive processing unit, said remote system configured for communication with at least one of said transmit processing unit or said receive processing unit; wherein the transmit processing unit is coupled to a first end of a track section, the track section comprising a plurality of rails coupled in series and having the first end and a second end, and wherein the receive processing unit is coupled to the second end of the track section; said transmit processing unit configured to apply a first voltage to said track section during a track circuit calibration operation, said receive processing unit configured to detect a first current related to the first voltage and a leakage resistance between the first end and the second end, said receive processing unit configured to transmit a pulse pair to the transmit processing unit indicative of a state of adjustment necessary in said first voltage to compensate for the leakage resistance; and said receive processing unit configured to timingly separate the pulses of said pulse pair, the timing of the separation indicating a status of the first current relative to a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A track circuit comprising:
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a transmit processing unit and a receive processing unit for cooperatively monitoring and calibrating a track circuit, said transmit processing unit coupled to a first end of a track section, and said receive processing unit coupled to a second end of the track section; said transmit processing unit configured to apply a first voltage to said track section, said receive processing unit configured to detect a first current related to the first voltage and a leakage resistance between the first end and the second end of the track section; said receive processing unit being configured to transmit a pulse pair signal to said transmit processing unit indicating the status of the first current relative to a predetermined range; and said transmit processing unit configured to apply a different, second voltage to said track section if the first current is outside the predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification