US 6,556,898 B2 · Distributed track network control system

Abstract

A distributed control system for a track network includes a local controller connected to a plurality of switch machines and a central office. The local controller receives from each switch machine a switch position signal and outputs to at least one switch machine a switch control signal related to a desired state of a track switch associated with the at least one switch machine in one of a plurality of positions. The local controller further outputs to the central office a first communication signal including switch position data corresponding to the switch position signal output by the at least one switch machine and receives from the central office, as a function of the first communication signal and a desired movement of one or more vehicles on the track network, a second communication signal which includes switch control data corresponding to the switch control data output to the at least one switch machine.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for controlling the movement of one or more vehicles on a track network, the system comprising:

a plurality of switch machines, each switch machine outputting a switch position signal indicative of a state of a track switch associated with the switch machine in one of a plurality of positions and receiving a switch control signal related to a desired state of the track switch in one of the plurality of positions;
a local controller connected to receive from each switch machine its switch position signal, to output a first communication signal including switch position data corresponding to the switch position signal output by at least one switch machine, to receive a second communication signal including switch control data corresponding to a desired state of at least one track switch, and to output to the switch machine associated with the at least one track switch as a function of the switch control data the switch control signal;
and
a central office connected to receive the first communication signal and to output the second communication signal as a function of the first communication signal and a desired movement of one or more vehicles on the track network.

1 more element

A distributed control system for a track network, the distributed control system comprising a local controller connected to a plurality of switch machines and a central office, each switch machine configured to monitor and control the state of at least one track switch associated therewith, the central office configured to control the movement of vehicles on the track network, the local controller configured to receive from each switch machine a switch position signal and to output to at least one switch machine a switch control signal related to a desired state of the track switch associated with at least one switch machine in one of a plurality of positions, the local controller further configured to output to the central office a first communication signal including switch position data corresponding to the switch position signal output by the at least one switch machine and to receive from the central office as a function of the first communication signal and a desired movement of one or more vehicles on the track network a second communication signal which includes switch control data corresponding to the switch control signal output to the at least one switch machine.

A method of controlling vehicles on a track network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a track network having a plurality of switch machines connected to a local controller;
(b) receiving at the local controller from the each of the switch machines a switch position signal related to a state of a track switch associated with the corresponding switch machine;
(c) converting at least one switch position signal received at the local controller into switch position data;
(d) conveying the switch position data from the local controller to a central office;
(e) receiving switch control data at the local controller from the central office as a function of the switch position data and a desired movement of vehicles on the track network;
(f) converting the switch control data received at the local controller into a switch control signal;
and
(g) conveying the switch control signal from the local controller to the at least one switch machine which sets the corresponding track switch to a state related to the switch control signal.

5 more elements

An apparatus for controlling vehicles on a track network, the apparatus comprising:

a central office configured to control the movement of vehicles on a track network;
a plurality of switch machines, each switch machine configured to output a switch position signal indicative of a state of a track switch associated with the switch machine in a one of a plurality of positions and to control the state of the track switch in response to receiving a switch control signal;
and
a local controller configured for receiving from the plurality of switch machines the switch position signals related to the state of the track switches controlled by the plurality of switch machines, for converting the switch position signals into switch position data, for conveying the switch position data to the central office, for receiving switch control data from the central office as a function of the conveyed switch position data and a desired movement of vehicles on the track network, for converting the received switch control data into switch control signals, and for conveying each switch control signal to one of the switch machines whereby the corresponding track switch is set to a state related to the switch control signal received by the one of the switch machines.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Distributed track network control system

Life of this patent

Distributed track network control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19