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US 7,416,159 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for controlling railway switches
OwnerDonald Coy Beaman, John Calvin Posey, Jr.inventors
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Abstract
A wirelessly controlled railroad switch designed for uses in a dark territory. The switch is configured to operate without the use of vital communications links to a central location, or requiring a central dispatching system or requiring a vital processor such that the wirelessly controlled railroad switch maintains its status as a railroad switch in a dark territory.
Claims2
A method of wirelessly controlling a railroad switch in a track system that includes signaled tracks and remaining tracks in a dark territory, comprising:
- receiving a wireless dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signal generated from a railway vehicle, at a device located concurrent with a section of railroad track located in a dark territory, from a first communications device, the signal indicating a desired railroad switch position;
- validating the wireless signal;
- initiating control of the switch;
- checking a relay to determine a relay status, the relay coupled to the railroad switch not having a switch signal system that is associated with a central location or dispatching system;
- checking a logic controller to determine a correspondence condition;
- reporting the correspondence condition;
- and
- wherein, the wirelessly controlled railroad switch maintains its status as a railroad switch in a dark territory.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.