Cab signal apparatus and method
AssigneeUnion Switch & Signal Inc.
InventorRaymond C. Franke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for supplying cab signal to a rail vehicle on a section of track composed of sequentially adjacent railway track circuit blocks. Respective receivers of each track circuit block are monitored for the presence of a vehicle within that block. The cab signal apparatus is controlled to transmit a signal to a block when the output from the respective receiver in that block indicates a different condition from the adjacent receiver of an adjacent block. Output voltages from adjacent receivers are compared to enable transmission of a cab signal. Comparison of adjacent receiver outputs is accomplished through use of a diode bridge.
Claims13
A cab signal apparatus to supply cab signals to a rail vehicle on a track section having an arrangement of sequentially adjacent track circuit blocks, each of said blocks having a track circuit transmitter and a respective track circuit receiver to detect the presence of such vehicle on rails in the respective blocks by receipt of a track signal from such track circuit transmitter, the cab signal apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a block output signal from the respective track circuit receiver of at least one of said blocks;
- means for receiving an adjacent signal from an adjacent receiver of an adjacent one of such track circuit blocks adjacent said at least one of said blocks;
- comparison means for comparing said block output signal with said adjacent signal and supplying an enabling signal when a difference exists between said block signal and said adjacent signal;
- cab signal transmitting means for transmitting a cab signal to said rails in response to said enabling signal;
- and
- means for supplying said block output signal to respective cab signal apparatus of another adjacent one of such track circuit blocks.
A method for controlling a cab signal apparatus to supply cab signals to a track section having an arrangement of sequentially adjacent track circuit blocks, each of said blocks having a respective track circuit transmitter and a track circuit receiver, the method comprising:
- monitoring at least one of said blocks for the presence of a rail vehicle one of said blocks;
- monitoring an adjacent block for the presence of a vehicle on said adjacent block;
- and
- supplying a cab signal to said one of said blocks when a vehicle is detected on said one of said block or said adjacent block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.