US3573441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic train length computer
Assignee: Servo Corp of America
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Filing: 1968-08-29
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Granted: 1971-04-06
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Expires: 1988-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for measuring the length of a moving railroad train is provided. The apparatus includes two sensors mounted on a rail of the track in relatively close proximity to one another and two counting circuits, each of which is operatively connected to the sensors and counts the pulses from an associated fixed frequency pulse generator. The first counting circuit is enabled when a wheel passes the first sensor and disabled when that wheel passes the second sensor. The second counting circuit counts the pulses during the time interval between successive wheels passing one of the sensors. An arithmetic unit is also provided which computes the quotient of the counts of the first and second counting circuits. The quotient is directly proportional to the distance between the successive wheels. The arithmetic unit also sums the quotient for each set of successive wheels and this sum is directly proportional to the total length of the train.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J Glazar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:15
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L1/00; B61L1/16; B61L1/161; B61L1/163; B61L1/165; G; G01; G01B; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for measuring the length between successive wheels of a moving multiwheel train comprising: first and second sensing means spaced-apart from each other along the path of motion of said train, each of said sensing means being adapted to generate a signal in response to the passage of a wheel there passed; first means operatively connected to said sensing means and responsive to said signals for establishing a measure of the time interval between the passage of each wheel past said first and second sensing means and generating a count indicative of said interval; second means operatively connected to said sensing means and responsive to said signals for establishing a measure of the time interval between the passage of successive wheels past one of said sensing means and generating a count indicative of said interval; and arithmetic logic means adapted to receive said generated counts and compute the sum of the quotients of (1) the count indicative of the time interval between the passage of successive wheels past one of said sensors and (2) the count indicative of the time interval between the passage of each of said successive wheels between said two sensors, said sum of the quotients being directly proportional to the linear distance between said successive wheels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for measuring the length between successive wheels of a moving multiwheel train comprising: first and second sensing means spaced-apart from each other along the path of motion of said train, each of said sensing means being adapted to generate a signal in response to the passage of a wheel there passed; first means operatively connected to said sensing means and responsive to said signals for establishing a measure of the time interval between the passage of each wheel past said first and second sensing means and generating a count indicative of said interval; second means operatively connected to said sensing means and responsive to said signals for establishing a measure of the time interval between the passage of successive wheels past one of said sensing means and generating a count indicative of said interval; and arithmetic logic means adapted to receive said generated counts and compute the sum of the quotients of (1) the count indicative of the time interval between the passage of successive wheels past one of said sensors and (2) the count indicative of the time interval between the passage of each of said successive wheels between said two sensors, said sum of the quotients being directly proportional to the linear distance between said successive wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a housing mounted against a section of one rail of the track of said moving train below the level thereof and said first and second sensing means each include coils wound about magnetic structures contained within said housing whereby the reluctance of said magnetic structures changes during the passage of a train upon said section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first time interval measuring means includes first means for generating recurring pulse signals of a first fixed, predetermined frequency; counter means operatively connected to said first pulse generator; gate means interposed between said first pulse generator and said counter; and means for enabling said gate means when each wheel of said train passes said first sensor and disabling said gate when said wheel passes said second sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising second means for generating recurring pulse signals of a fixed, predetermined frequency; counter means operatively connected to said second pulse generator; second gate means interposed between said second generator and said second counter; and means for enabLing said second gate when each wheel passes one of said sensors and for disabling said second gate when the next subsequent wheel passes the other of said sensors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |