Rail communications system
AssigneeRailroad Transportation Communication Technologies (RTCT) LLC
InventorsHenry B. Lewin, Alfred D. Granite
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for transmitting an information carrying signal, such as an electromagnetic frequency signal or an acoustic signal, through the tracks of a railroad to a remote position on the track where the information is extracted. The extracted information can be used to relate speed and location of trains, location of obstructions, and/or track conditions. The in situ track (10) is evaluated using an autoranging digital multimeter which establishes the resistance between two opposite rails (12, 14).
Claims30
A method of transmitting information data through a railroad track, comprising the acts of:
- introducing into said railroad track at a first position, a radio frequency signal containing said information data;
- detecting at a second position remote from said first position on said railroad track, said radio frequency signal containing said information data, which was transmitted through said railroad track between said first and second positions;
- and
- extracting said information data from said detected radio frequency signal and analyzing said information data.
A method of detecting information concerning a railroad track between a first position and a second position on said railroad track, comprising the acts of:
- introducing into said railroad track at said first position, a transmission modulated radio frequency signal;
- detecting at said reception position remote from said position on said railroad track, a reception modulated radio frequency signal which was transmitted through said railroad track between s aid first and second position;
- comparing said characteristics of said detected reception request radio frequency signal with predefined characteristics of said transmission modulated radio frequency signal to provide said information concerning said railroad track between said first and second position.
A method of transmitting information through a railroad track, comprising the acts of:
- introducing into said railroad track at a first position a radio frequency signal modulated with acoustic information;
- detecting at a second position remote from said first position on said railroad track, said radio frequency signal containing said acoustic information which was transmitted through said railroad track between said first and second position;
- extracting said acoustic information from said detected radio frequency signal and processing said acoustic information.
An apparatus for transmitting information through a railroad track, comprising:
- a signal source outputting a radio frequency signal having a modulated carrier containing said information;
- interface means for connecting said output of said signal source to at least one rail of said railroad track at a first position;
- a receiver detecting said modulated radio frequency signal which was transmitted from said first position to a second position remote from said first position through said at least one rail wherein said receiver further includes a device for extracting said information from said detected radio frequency signal.
A method of detecting a radio frequency signal containing specific information transmitted along a railroad track, comprising the acts of:
- detecting a plurality of signals at a position remote from a source of said radio frequency signal;
- analyzing said detected plurality of signals and outputting said radio frequency signal;
- processing said radio frequency signal to provide said specific information.
A method of checking railroad track condition, comprising the acts of:
- introducing a radio frequency signal into said railroad track at a first position:
- detecting as reflected radio frequency signal wherein said reflected radio signal includes said first radio frequency signal after reflection at a second position on said railroad tracks;
- and
- comparing characteristics of said detected radio frequency signal with predetermined characteristics of said first signal in order to determine track condition information between said first position and said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.