Geographic train control
US5751569A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61L21/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a method of controlling railroad train movement over a layout of railroad track that is defined geographically using a linear network of geographic control objects which includes signals, switches and track blocks. Each signal has signal control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of signal condition, and the ability to initiate a change in signal condition. Each switch has switch control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of switch condition, and the ability to initiate a change in switch condition. Each track block has hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address and a representation of track block occupancy condition. The method is specifically directed to establishing communication between each signal logic, switch logic, and track logic, and only its next adjacent logic neighbors regardless of whether it be signal logic, switch logic, or track logic. Such communication is limited to one of a plurality of predetermined messages, which messages either request a response relating to train movement or provide a response relating to train movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.