Method and system for checking track integrity
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
- a control unit;
a warning device in communication with the control unit;
a brake interface unit, the brake interface unit being in communication with the control unit and a train brake, the brake interface unit being operable to activate the train brake under control of the control unit; and
a transceiver, the transceiver being located on the train and being in communication with the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps oftransmitting an interrogation message to a track circuit transceiver associated with a track circuit;
listening for a response from the track circuit transceiver, the response including an indication as to a condition of a section of track monitored by the track circuit;
activating the warning device to provide a warning to the operator if the response indicates that it is not safe for the train to proceed; and
activating the train'"'"'s brake via the brake interface unit if an operator of the train fails to acknowledge the warning or fails to reduce the speed of the train to a safe speed within a period of time after the warning.
6 Assignments
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A train control system includes a control module that determines a position of a train using a positioning system and consults a database to determine when the train is approaching a portion of track monitored by a track circuit. When the train is near a track circuit, but while the train is still far enough away from the track circuit such that the train can be stopped before reaching the portion of track monitored by the track circuit, the train transmits an interrogation message to a transceiver associated with the track circuit. When the track circuit receives the interrogation message, a test is initiated. The test results are transmitted back to the train. The train takes corrective action if the track circuit fails to respond or indicates a problem.
131 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
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a control unit; a warning device in communication with the control unit; a brake interface unit, the brake interface unit being in communication with the control unit and a train brake, the brake interface unit being operable to activate the train brake under control of the control unit; and a transceiver, the transceiver being located on the train and being in communication with the control unit; wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of transmitting an interrogation message to a track circuit transceiver associated with a track circuit; listening for a response from the track circuit transceiver, the response including an indication as to a condition of a section of track monitored by the track circuit; activating the warning device to provide a warning to the operator if the response indicates that it is not safe for the train to proceed; and activating the train'"'"'s brake via the brake interface unit if an operator of the train fails to acknowledge the warning or fails to reduce the speed of the train to a safe speed within a period of time after the warning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for controlling a train comprising the steps of:
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transmitting an interrogation message to a track circuit transceiver associated with a track circuit near the train; listening for a response from the track circuit transceiver, the response including an indication as to a condition of a section of track monitored by the track circuit; activating a warning device to provide a warning to the operator if the response indicates that it is not safe to proceed or no response is received; and activating the train'"'"'s brake to stop the train if an operator of the train fails to acknowledge the warning or fails to reduce the speed of the train to a safe speed within a time period. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
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a control unit; a warning device connected to the control unit; a brake interface unit, the brake interface unit being in communication with the control unit and connected to a train brake, the brake interface unit being operable to activate the train brake under control of the control unit; and a transceiver, the transceiver being located on the train and being in communication with the control unit; wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of transmitting an interrogation message to a track circuit transceiver associated with a track circuit near the train; listening for a response from the track circuit transceiver, the response including an indication as to a condition of a section of track monitored by the track circuit; allowing the train to continue if a response indicating that it is safe for the train to proceed is received; if no response is received or if a response with an indication that it is not safe to proceed is received, activating a warning device to provide a warning to the operator; stopping the train by activating the brakes via the brake interface unit if an acknowledgment of the warning is not received from the operator or the train is not slowed to a safe speed within a period of time; and if an acknowledgment of the warning is received and the train is slowed to the safe speed within the period of time, ensuring that the safe speed is maintained until the section of track has been passed. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification