Solid state railroad lights/gate controller

Abstract

A railroad crossing lights/gate controller for effecting operation of the crossing lights and lowering of the crossing gate during normal train operating conditions and during a gate controller failure mode includes a train sensing input, a gate control circuit, a lights control circuit, a solid state logic and monitor circuit and a fail/safe relay. The train sensing input provides one signal condition when the approach of a train is sensed and another signal condition when no train is sensed. This input is connected to the solid state logic and monitor circuit which is also connected to the gate control circuit and the lights control circuit. The gate control circuit has power applied thereto to maintain the gate in a raised position when the train sensing input indicates a no train condition and the lights control circuit has power supplied thereto to operate the lights in a flashing condition when the train sensing input indicates the approach of a train. The logic and monitor circuit applies and removes power to the gate and lights control circuit in accordance with the signals at the input. The fail/safe relay is connected to the logic and monitor circuit and to the gate and lights control circuits to automatically remove power to the gate control circuit and apply power to operate the lights in the event no power is applied thereto. The logic and monitor circuit further senses the application of power to the gate control circuit and to the lights control circuit and removes power to the fail/safe relay under certain sensed conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.