Patent · US Expired

Method and system for checking track integrity

US6845953B2 · kind B2 · utility

62Cited by
53References
71Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 10, 2002
Grant dateJan 25, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 11, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L2205/04
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.