US 3,937,428 A · Route interlocking control system

Abstract

A single relay serves to register route request selections for both traffic directions over each track route through a railroad interlocking layout. This single route request relay is jointly controlled by the route selection push buttons for both directions, the actuated push button being also repeated by a traffic direction relay. The route request relay pick up checks that no conflicting route request is active, and that the same or opposing route is not already established and locked. The route request and direction repeater relays are held by stick circuits to store the request until the route is locked. A single relay serves to provide the clear and lock function for all possible traffic routes originating at each entry point into the interlocking. Each clear and lock relay responds to the registry of a route request originating at that location but also checks, in accordance with the route switch positions, that the opposing approach lock relay is still picked up, that the involved track sections within the interlocking are unoccupied, and the absence of cab signal energy for an opposing train within the interlocking. The clear/lock relay selects and enables the clearing of the correct route entry signal, releases the route request storage, and locks the established route against any opposing route requests. Cancellation of a route request or a locked route with cleared signal is provided, with separate actions as the approach track is or is not occupied. Cancellation of a locked route and cleared signal requires the usual time delay to assure that an approaching train stops short before a conflicting move is authorized.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A route control system for a railroad interlocking, which interlocking comprises a plurality of track routes within prefixed outer limits selectable for train movements, each track route including one or more track sections each with a train occupancy detector, comprising in combination,

a. a single route request means for each track route operable for registering a traffic route request for either direction of traffic through the corresponding track route,
b. a control network for each route request means operable for selecting one or the other traffic direction through the associated track route and connected for operating the associated route request means to register the traffic route request,
c. a direction registry means for each track route controlled by said control network for operating to a first or a second condition as said one or the other traffic direction through the associated track route is requested,
d. a route locking means associated with each entry point of said interlocking and coupled for locking, when activated any requested traffic route originating at that point, and
e. an activating circuit network for each route locking means controlled by each associated route request means, the corresponding direction registry means, said occupany detectors, and opposing route locking means for activating the associated locking means when an originating traffic route request is registered, the corresponding track route sections are unoccupied, and no opposing traffic route is established.

2 more elements

In a control system for a railroad interlocking which includes a plurality of different track routes, each route including one or more train detector sections with train occupancy detector means, the combination comprising,

a. a single route request relay for each of said track routes through said interlocking,
b. a pair of direction registry relays associated with each route request relay, one for registering each traffic direction along the corresponding track route,
c. a selector means for each traffic direction along each track route operable to select a desired traffic route through said interlocking,
d. a route registry circuit network coupled to each route request relay and controlled by the selector means for each traffic direction along the corresponding track route for actuating the associated route request relay to register and store a route request to establish the coresponding track route in the selected direction when no other conflicting route request relay is actuated,
e. a direction registry circuit network controlled by each selector means and coupled to the corresponding direction registry relays for actuating the registry of the desired direction of traffic through the corresponding track route,
f. a single clear and lock relay at each entry point into said interlocking coupled for locking, when activated, any requested and established traffic route through said interlocking originating at the corresponding point, and
g. a control circuit network for each clear and lock relay controlled by said route request relays, other clear and lock relays, and preselected train occupancy detector means for activating the associated clear and lock relay when a corresponding route request is registered, no conflicting route is locked, the selected route is established, and no train is detected by said selected occupancy detector means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Route interlocking control system

Life of this patent

Route interlocking control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14