Monitoring status of railyard equipment using wireless sensing devices

A wireless magnetic sensing device for monitoring railyard equipment status, the device comprising:

• a magnetic sensing mechanism for sensing an applied magnetic field, and for generating a detection signal upon sensing of the applied magnetic field;
• a processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the magnetic sensing mechanism, for receiving the detection signal;
• and
• a radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, for transmitting a data signal indicative of said sensing of the applied magnetic field;
• wherein the processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the detection signal;
• and
• wherein the magnetic sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a rail tie, a safety indicator, or a safety indicator receptacle.

A wireless magnetic sensing system for monitoring railyard equipment status, the system comprising:

• a wireless magnetic sensing device including:
• (i) a magnetic sensing mechanism for sensing an applied magnetic field, and for generating a detection signal upon sensing of the applied magnetic field;
• (ii) a processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the magnetic sensing mechanism, for receiving the detection signal;
• and (iii) a radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, for transmitting a data signal indicative of said sensing of the applied magnetic field;
• wherein the processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the detection signal;
• a safety indicator affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to the wireless magnetic sensing device;
• and
• a safety indicator receptacle, for receiving the safety indicator, and configured to have at least one permanent magnet in proximity thereto;
• wherein, when the safety indicator is inserted into the safety indicator receptacle, a magnetic field created by the permanent magnet across the receptacle is detected by the magnetic sensing mechanism of the magnetic sensing device.

A wireless magnetic sensing system for monitoring railyard equipment status, the system comprising:

• a wireless magnetic sensing device including:
• (i) a magnetic sensing mechanism for sensing an applied magnetic field, and for generating a detection signal upon sensing of the applied magnetic field;
• (ii) a processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the magnetic sensing mechanism, for receiving the detection signal;
• and (iii) a radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, for transmitting a data signal indicative of said sensing of the applied magnetic field;
• wherein the processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the detection signal;
• a safety indicator having one or more permanent magnets affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled thereto;
• and
• a safety indicator receptacle in proximity to the wireless magnetic sensing device for receiving the safety indicator;
• wherein, when the safety indicator is inserted into the safety indicator receptacle, a magnetic field created by the one or more permanent magnets is detected by the magnetic sensing mechanism of the magnetic sensing device.