Train control system and method of controlling a train or trains
AssigneeQuantum Engineering, Inc.
InventorsMark Edward Kane, James Francis Shockley, Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A train control system and method for ensuring that a train cannot be moved from a section of track not on a main line to a section of track on the main line until both a movement authority for the section of main line track and a circulation authority for the section of track not on the main line are received.
Claims30
A system for controlling the movement of a train from a section of track not on a main line to a section of main line track, the system comprising:
- a control module;
- a positioning system connected to the control module;
- and
- a receiver connected to the control module;
- wherein the control module is configured to perform the steps of:
- preventing the train from being moved until a circulation authority to move within the section of track not on the main line has been received, the section of track not on the main line being a section of track in which the train is located;
- allowing the train to move within the section of track not on the main line provided that the circulation authority has been received;
- preventing the train from entering the section of main line track until a movement authority to move a train within the section of main line track has been received;
- and
- allowing the train to move from the section of track not on the main line to the section of main line track provided that the movement authority has been received.
A method for controlling the movement of a train from a section of track not on a main line to a section of main line track, the method comprising:
- preventing the train from being moved until a circulation authority to move within the section of track not on the main line has been received, the section of track not on the main line being a section of track in which the train is located;
- allowing the train to move within the section of track not on the main line provided that the circulation authority has been received;
- preventing the train from entering the section of main line track until a movement authority to move a train within the section of main line track has been received;
- and
- allowing the train to move from the section of track not on the main line to the section of main line track provided that the movement authority has been received.
A method for controlling movement of a train from a section of track not on a main line to a section of main line track comprising the steps of:
- receiving a movement authority to move a train within a section of main line track;
- receiving a message including a signal from a device located along a wayside, the signal indicating that movement of the train into the section of main line track is permitted;
- and
- preventing the train from being moved into the section main line track until both the movement authority and the signal from the device are received.
A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
- a control module;
- a positioning system attached to the control module;
- and
- a receiver attached to the control module;
- wherein the control module is configured to perform the steps of:
- receiving a movement authority to move within a section of main line track;
- receiving a message from a device located along a wayside, the message including a signal from the device, the signal indicating the movement of the train into the section of main line track is permitted;
- and
- preventing the train from being moved onto the main line track until both the movement authority and the signal from the device are received.
A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
- a control unit;
- a first positioning system connected to the control unit;
- and
- a communications module connected to the control unit;
- wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of
- receiving at least one first authorization, the first authorization defining a first boundary within which a train is authorized to move;
- preventing the train from moving from a current location of the train if the current location of the train is not within a boundary for a received authorization;
- monitoring a position of the train reported by the positioning system;
- and
- stopping the train before the train moves outside a boundary corresponding to the train's current location unless a second authorization to move to a second area of track is received;
- wherein the first boundary corresponds to a train yard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.