Fixed data transmission system for controlling train movement
AssigneeHarmon Industries, Inc.
InventorRobert E. Heggestad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A train control-system employs beacon transponders along the track to transmit fixed data to a passing train in addition to dynamic data relating to track availability and routing provided by encoded cab signals transmitted in the track. The fixed data includes the location of block boundaries and distances to such boundaries, timetable speed limits, and the distance to a point along the track at which a speed restriction is in effect. This data and other fixed information is integrated with the dynamic data in an on-board computer which determines train control instructions from the received data and displays the instructions to the train crew. The system is capable of enforcing any restrictive instructions that are not obeyed.
Claims8
In a system for controlling the movement of a train along a railroad track, the combination comprising:
- a plurality of localized transmitting units spaced along said track at preselected locations and each having means for transmitting fixed data appropriate to the respective location including a timetable speed limit to be observed by a train and said fixed data transmitted from certain of said transmitting units including information defining a point along the track at which a speed change is in effect;
- and
- data receiving and processing means adapted to be carried by a train for intermittently receiving said fixed data as the train successively passes said locations, and responding to the data received at each location and the speed and direction of movement of the train for determining train control instructions therefrom.
In a system for controlling the movement of a train along a railroad track, the combination comprising:
- first and second localized transmitting units spaced along said track at preselected locations and each having means for transmitting fixed data appropriate to the respective location,
- said first transmitting unit being located at a point along said track in advance of a speed restriction and said fixed data transmitted therefrom including distance to the start of the speed restriction,
- said second transmitting unit being located at a point along said track at which the speed restriction ends, and said fixed data transmitted therefrom including a subsequent timetable speed limit to be observed, and
- data receiving and processing means adapted to be carried by a train for receiving said fixed data from the respective transmitting units as the train successively passes said locations, and responding to the data received at each location and the speed and direction of movement of the train for determining train control instructions therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.