Switch devices and methods for moving switch rails

A switch device for moving switch rails, the switch device comprising:

• a motor operatively coupled to move the switch rails into and between first and second positions, wherein the motor is configured for electricity to flow therethrough along a first path and a second path;
• a first path relay having two normally open contacts each within the first path, wherein activating the first path relay closes the two normally open contacts thereof;
• a second path relay having two normally open contacts each within the second path, wherein activating the second path relay closes the two normally open contacts thereof;
• and
• a first limit switch activated by movement of the switch rails, wherein the motor stops moving the switch rails when the first limit switch is activated;
• wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the first position when the first path relay is activated and the second path relay is deactivated, and wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the second position when the second path relay is activated and the first path relay is deactivated.

A method for moving a switch rails, the method comprising:

• operatively coupling a motor to the switch rails, wherein the motor is configured to move the switch rails into and between a first position and a second position, and wherein the motor is configured for electricity to flow therethrough along a first path and a second path;
• electrically coupling a first path relay within the first path of the motor, wherein the first path relay has two normally open contacts each wherein the first path, and wherein activating the first path relay closes the two normally open contacts thereof;
• and
• electrically coupling a second path relay within the second path of the motor, wherein the second path relay has two normally open contacts each within the second path, and wherein activating the second path relay closes the two normally open contacts thereof;
• wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the first position when the first path relay is activated and the second path relay is deactivated, and wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the second position when the second path relay is activated and the first path relay is deactivated.

A switch device for moving a switch rails, the switch device comprising:

• a motor operatively coupled to move the switch rails into and between first and second positions, wherein the motor has first, second, third, and fourth terminals, wherein the motor is configured to be coupled to a power source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the second terminal of the motor is coupled to the negative terminal of the power source, and wherein the motor is configured for electricity to flow therethrough along a first path and a second path;
• a motor controller operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the motor controller is configured to monitor a current drawn by the motor and to compare the current to a predetermined threshold, and wherein the motor controller is further configured to open at least one of the first path and the second path through the motor when the current exceeds the predetermined threshold;
• a first relay having a normally open contact within the first path, wherein the first relay when activated electrically couples the first terminal of the motor to the positive terminal of the power source;
• a second relay having a normally open contact within the first path, wherein the first relay and the second relay are configured to activate and deactivate together, and wherein the second relay when activated electrically couples the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the motor;
• a third relay having a normally open contact within the second path, wherein the third relay when activated electrically couples the third terminal of the motor to the positive terminal of the power source;
• and
• a fourth relay having a normally open contact within the second path, wherein the third relay and the fourth relay are configured to activate and deactivate together, and wherein the fourth relay when activated electrically couples the first terminal and the fourth terminal of the motor;
• wherein the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, and the fourth relay are configured such that the first relay and the second relay are prevented from being activated when the third relay and the fourth relay are activated;
• and
• wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the first position when the first relay and the second relay are activated and the third relay and the fourth relay are deactivated, and wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the second position when the third relay and the fourth relay are activated and the first relay and the second relay are deactivated.