Rail warning system and method
AssigneeHarsco Technologies LLC
InventorPeter M. BARTEK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to a rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses a chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators, of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.
Claims15
A system for use on or near train tracks, comprising:
- a first portable device that is battery powered, the first portable device including a first wireless transceiver operable to transmit and receive signals using a chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme;
- a second portable device that is battery powered, the second portable device including a second wireless transceiver device operable to transmit and receive signals using a chirp spread spectrum, the second portable device being a portable wayside device, wherein
- the first portable device is operable to communicate with the second portable device to determine a distance between a first rail worker carrying the first portable device and a second rail worker carrying a third portable device, wherein the distance is determined using chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme pulses.
A method of alerting personnel of an approaching train or on track equipment, the method comprising:
- providing first and second portable wireless devices disposed a distance from one another alongside train tracks and respectively carried by railroad personnel;
- providing a portable wayside device on or near the train tracks;
- determining a distance between the first and second wireless portable devices via communication between the first portable device and the portable wayside device, wherein the distance is determined using chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme pulses;
- and
- alerting personnel on or near train tracks of the presence of an approaching train or on track equipment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.