Railroad block/grade crossing warning system
AssigneeFermi Research Alliance, LLC
InventorDerek L. Plant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A train safety system comprises a cable connected to at least two conducting contacts, an electrical load between said two conducting magnetic contacts, and a DC track circuit associated with railroad tracks wherein the at least two conducting plates can be connected to each of the railroad rails in order to shunt the DC track circuit and alert oncoming trains of fouling of the tracks or crossing ahead.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a cable connected to at least two conducting contacts;
- an electrical load associated with said cable between said two conducting contacts;
- and
- a DC track signal circuit associated with railroad tracks wherein said at least two conducting contacts can be connected to each of said train rails in order to shunt said DC track circuit.
The system of 4 further comprising:
- a power source connected to said cable configured to supply power to a strobe light formed on an exterior of said tube.
The system of 1 wherein said DC track signal circuit associated with a positive train control system.
An obstruction warning apparatus comprising:
- a cable connected to at least two conducting contacts;
- an electrical load associated with said cable between said two conducting contacts;
- and
- a DC track signal circuit associated with railroad tracks wherein said at least two conducting contacts can be connected to each of said railroad tracks in order to complete said DC track signal circuit.
A method for alerting trains to obstacles on train tracks comprising:
- connecting at least two conducting plates to train tracks with a cable;
- and
- emulating the presence of a train by completing a DC block signaling track circuit wherein said cable serves as an electrical load between said two conducting contacts.
The method of 17 wherein said DC block signaling track circuit is associated with a positive train control system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.